Dr. Bruce Yandle, Dean Emeritus, Clemson University College of Business & Behavioral Science, will speak about the impact of the economy on the construction industry as keynote speaker for Clemson’s 3rd Annual Construction Industry Symposium scheduled for Thursday, October 11, 2018, at the Greenville Marriott (S.C.). Dr. Yandle’s presentation, “The Economic Situation: The Nation, Region, and Construction Industry,” is the first session on the day’s agenda.
The one-day regional conference is themed, “The Ever-Changing World of Construction: Today’s Challenges, Tomorrow’s Opportunities.” The event will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. followed by a networking event.
Preview of Dr. Yandle’s Insights on the Economic Situation
The key questions Dr. Yandle will address are: How’s the U.S. economy performing? Have President Trump’s policy actions improved the outlook for 2019? What about trade wars and interest rates? Will these two actions knock the economy in the head and start a recession? What about a forecast for 2019?
Dr. Yandle will begin by assessing the situation for the U.S. economy; identify strengths, and weaknesses, address Trump administration actions that have lifted economic activity and focus tightly on two major policy actions that pose a decidedly negative threat to improved economic performance. He cites the threats as: Trump administration tariffs and related trade wars; and Federal Reserve actions that could lead to higher interest rates in 2018 and 2019.
Next, Dr. Yandle will describe economic activity across the 50 states and identify the high growth states and regions. Looking even closer, he will present data on the nation’s counties and identify the higher performing ones. Finally, he will focus on the construction industry for the nation, region, and states by looking at trends in activity, employment, and costs. The presentation will conclude with a summary and forecast for 2019. Special attention will be paid to South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia.
Dr. Yandle is quick to point out that the U.S. economy is accelerating at the fastest clip since 2014. Labor markets are tight; employment costs are rising; and consumers are spending. These positive features are confronted by the two negative policy actions mentioned above. The Trump administration has initiated a global trade war that has raised the prices of key construction materials — softwood, aluminum, and steel — and the Federal Reserve has promised more interest rate increases. Taken together, the two activities could generate a serious construction slowdown, with housing construction affected negatively, and, potentially, the start of a credit crunch recession.
More about the 3rd Annual Clemson CSM Construction Industry Symposium
Participants in the one-day Symposium will take away valuable knowledge and perspective from Dr. Yandle and other leading industry experts about the critical issues impacting the construction industry today, as well as insight into preparing for anticipated changes in the future.
Through interactive panel discussions, industry experts will share market intelligence and perspective to help participants deal with today’s challenges and effectively prepare for anticipated industry trends.
Attendees are encouraged to register for the Symposium as soon as possible.. The information-packed conference is offered by Clemson University’s Department of Construction Science and Management (CSM).
