Your source for construction industry news in the Carolinas
With the books for 2025 ready to be closed and knuckles still white from the roller coaster ride generated by President Trump’s first year policy actions, and all this compounded by war, terrorist attacks, and a recovering post-COVID world, I begin this report with a summary forecast for the next four quarters. I offer thoughts…
After several years defined by extremes, the Southeast industrial market is showing signs of shifting toward steadier footing in 2026. The post-pandemic boom of 2021–2022 created record construction and aggressive speculative development. That momentum slowed noticeably in 2023–2024, when rising costs, tighter financing and pockets of oversupply pushed many developers to pause and reassess. Now,…
With fall approaching and football upon us, our national economy continues to respond to almost daily policy shocks as the Trump administration constantly unveils major changes.[1] Federal departments are being shuttered, a global trade war is underway, thousands of undocumented workers are being arrested, jailed and deported, and the economy is still adjusting to shocks…
As we approach mid-year, this is a good time to assess the economic situation. First, we will focus on the nation. Then, the Carolinas. As indicated in the next chart, the latest Commerce Department estimate for first quarter GDP growth for the nation shows negative growth. I point out that the estimate was troubled by…
In office just over a month, Donald J. Trump is delivering on his promises and disrupting the national, if not the world economy. He promised border enforcement, deportations, tariffs, lower taxes and “draining the D.C. swamp” of federal workers and expenditures. He is delivering on these promises and more. But almost always there are delays,…
Election Day is behind us and though not in office until January, President-elect Trump is already taking action to deliver on his campaign promises. Along with stated plans to deport illegal immigrants, cut taxes, and bring about an early end to war in Ukraine and Gaza, “Tariff man,” as he likes to style himself, has…
With September’s arrival, those who love college football are again enjoying tailgating, touchdowns, the sound of marching bands, and crowds cheering and singing their alma mater. Hope for a conference championship reigns supreme. Nothing beats winning.[1] And then those who get their thrills from politics, cheering crowds, music, and political cheerleaders can enjoy an endless…
Special to GroundBreak Carolinas: Dr. Bruce Yandle, Alumni Distinguished Professor of Economics Emeritus, Clemson University, shares economic insight for construction leaders in the Carolinas. Getting Started: The Current Picture With 2024 at the halfway mark, we find a national economy registering a low pulse-beat and an improved outllook on the inflation front. First quarter real…
Every year April brings beautiful images of new life, but this time we are also getting positive readings on the U.S. and regional economies. With the closing of 2023, we learned that real GDP growth for the nation perked along at a 2.5% rate, well above 2022’s 1.9% and a far cry from constant calls…
With horrible wars underway in the Middle East and Ukraine, a strong dose of compartmentalization is required to focus attention on the prospects for the economy. But if we are to make a difference to those in devastated places, it will be necessary for us to make the best of our own situation, to try…
