Then Covid Happened

摘要

Last year started with anticipation. Construction businesses expected to build on the economic strength of the previous couple of years. Even in a year promising another contentious national election season, the overall mood was quite positive.Then rumor of a virus in China manifested itself as it spread around the globe, eventually forcing a response that took the wind out of the U.S. economy. Shutdowns, layoffs, and fear pivoted the Spring optimism into a 9-month (and counting) roller coaster ride. Even with construction designated as "essential," backlogs shrank and projects were postponed or canceled.The year that had been forecast to be "very good" turned ugly, and every construction vocation save home building reported an "average" or "off" business year in 2020.