Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the American economy was in a state of sustained economic growth. The pandemic brought the world to a halt and construction projects were no different. Fortunately, construction workers were deemed essential and able to remain somewhat productive. Still, contractors face many difficulties that persist to this day. Workforces are unstable, projects are still being held up across the country and competition for top talent has never been higher.

Today, to boost the economy, the government must take additional steps to bolster the construction industry. According to Statista, the construction industry spent up to $977 billion in 2019 and employed 11.2 million people. Clearly, an investment in the construction industry is an investment in the economy. With the delays in the industry over the past two years, more projects are ready to be greenlit. The construction industry helps stimulate job growth as everyone from project managers to carpet providers are needed to complete construction jobs.

History has shown that the construction industry and economic growth go hand in hand. While a global pandemic is different from a world war, the principles of recovery are the same. At the end of World War 2, it was the boom of the residential construction industry that brought back the national economy. With more homes being built in the suburbs, the need for commercial structures grew in these newly populated areas. As everything from shopping malls to road repairs became necessities outside of America’s largest cities, the economy started to take off.

Jumpstarting the construction industry post-pandemic starts with projects that only require maintenance. Maintenance projects were halted in the wake of the pandemic, and many buildings have been left unattended for the better part of three years. Repairs are required in buildings across the country. Repair projects can be done quickly and efficiently. Unlike the launch of a new structure, the approval process for repairs is rarely drawn out. The quicker a project is complete, the quicker the funds from the project start to benefit the community that hosts the property. Government funding for larger projects is typically only secured by the largest construction companies in the world. Maintenance projects offer a much more competitive market for small and mid-size construction companies.

A slowing of projects during the pandemic led to layoffs and increases in the unemployment rate in America. The construction industry has many different jobs that can be completed via technological development or human labor. While a skilled worker will always outperform a machine, construction companies are obviously intrigued by the potential cost savings allotted through technology. Therefore, it’s important for the government to incentivize labor-based work in the construction industry. With incentives in place, the rate of unemployment will reduce. This will also increase the number of local workers who gain employment while projects are being worked on in their community.

Steps were in motion before the pandemic to promote green infrastructure. The government and the construction industry have a sincere interest in the development of eco-friendly communities. There must continue to be incentives to install solar panels on roofs and use other renewable energy sources in commercial buildings. Tax incentives are often the most successful tool in the fight to bolster green construction methods.

There’s no denying that the construction industry will lead the way toward sustained economic recovery if the government assists. We have seen this story before—it’s on everyone to do their part to supersede where the economy was before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.