The AIA released a very interesting paper (see title above), and I think this paper should be read by all who are involved in the A/E/C industry, including reprographers. The paper includes quite a number of charts and graphs, all of which should be of interest to reprographers who earn most of their living from serving firms in the A/E/C Industry.
A lot of research went into the development of this paper. The information shared in this report serves as good “food for thought”. I suspect this is the AIA’s way of attempting to influence policymakers.
The final paragraph in this document says this …..
“Clearly, the economic recession and a weak recovery have generated less demand for commercial and institutional space. Equally clearly, though, difficulties in obtaining financing are currently delaying many otherwise viable projects, therefore holding back a recovery in these construction sectors. Until more credit is extended, the potential of nonresidential building construction to promote greater levels of economic growth will not be realized.”
As I’ve pointed out in several articles I’ve posted on Reprographics 101 over the past two+ years, one of the major hurdles to increased A/E/C industry activity is the hurdle of obtaining financing for projects. Our government gave “easy money’ to get banks healthy. But what has our government done to push (or, should I say “force”) that money from banks to the real estate development sector? Other than funding stimulus projects (and stimulus projects were mostly transportation projects, and stimulus funding, for the most part, is over and done with), our government (and policymakers) have done squat!!!
You can access the paper at this Internet address:
Also, I’d like to direct your attention to a project the AIA recently launched:
AIA Launches Stalled Projects Database
(from an article on aia.org in November 2011)
A place where investors and architects and developers can connect
| The American Institute of Architects has launched its Stalled Projects Database, where industry leaders can connect with investors and re-start projects nationwide that make solid economic sense but which lack the financing needed to be finished. The site will be a tool to help bring the two sides together. The AIA announced its commitment to building this database earlier this year as a participating member at CGI America, the first conference of the Clinton Global Initiative solely dedicated to economic issues impacting the United States. By clicking on the gray box to the right on the top of the page, industry leaders can fill out a form and post information about their project. More than one project can be submitted. Industry leaders can also read about investors and find and make contacts. By clicking on that same grey box, investors can fill out a similar form that provides the basic details about their company and the kind of projects in which they are interested in investing. Investors are welcome to remain anonymous if they wish, though they must complete the form in order to peruse stalled projects listed in the database. Stalled Projects is an initiative of the AIA and is designed to help architects and their clients find a solution to the primary issue plaguing the design and construction industry – access to credit. The AIA makes no assurance as to the accuracy or legitimacy of any of the information entered by either investors/lenders or project owners. That is up to both sides to evaluate. Neither does the AIA rank the projects listed as to viability or any other criteria. We are simply acting as a forum for investors and architects/project owners/developers to meet and exchange information. The AIA commitment comes as the design and construction industry is plagued by a continuing dearth of credit for otherwise credit-worthy projects. Almost two-thirds of architects responding to a recent AIA survey reported at least one project that is stalled due to lack of financing, despite record low interest rates. The Clinton Global Initiative’s Chicago conference convened diverse stakeholders - including CEOs of American companies and international companies with U.S. operations, national and local government officials, and leaders from the nonprofit sector – to identify effective ways to strengthen U.S. industries, unlock capital for innovation and entrepreneurship, advance energy efficiency, build clean energy infrastructure, and train Americans for the 21st-century workforce. Topics covered during the meeting included education, green buildings, the healthcare workforce, manufacturing, rural development, service corps, small business growth, smart infrastructure and workforce training. You can access information - about the AIA’s development of a “database” of stalled projects - at this Internet address: http://www.aia.org/stalledprojects/ |
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