BY MARK BIRD
DBJ Contributing Writer

In our last issue, the Delta Business Journal reported on the status of the construction industry in the Delta, and included comments from companies involved in various trades. For this follow-up article, we have talked to another cross-section of industry executives, focusing on topics that are on the minds of most companies working in the region. These include the continuing struggle to bring trained people into construction, a comparison of construction in the Delta as compared to the rest of the state, and the general outlook for the region in uncertain economic times.
Even companies who have reported a slowdown in business continue to cite the need to develop a better pool of trained people for future work, and many are taking advantage of training programs offered through trade associations. Additionally, a number of firms do their own in-house training or make use of internship and co-op programs to introduce a new generation to the many careers available in construction.
One association heavily involved in efforts to bring qualified people into the construction workforce is the Mississippi Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors. Not only is the Mississippi ABC the largest trade association in the state, it is also the largest ABC chapter in the country. As executive vice-president Buddy Edens points out, the association brings a wealth of resources to what is more than just a regional concern.
“There is a shortage of qualified craftsmen nationally,” Edens says, “and both the trade associations and many of the individual firms are addressing it. We are one of the members of the Mississippi Construction Education Association, which has developed programs to train at the high school level for careers in construction.”
The ABC sponsors a program called “Wheels of Learning”, which Edens reports has an enrollment of over 5,600 students. “This program has been very successful,” Edens says, “far exceeding what we thought it would do. Students attend classes at many of the community colleges and vocational-technical centers around the state. We also have adult classes with an enrollment around 500.”
One of the firms making use of the “Wheels of Learning” program is Laws Construction. John Laws notes the need for both skilled and unskilled craftsmen. “Fewer and fewer people are going into the construction industry,” he comments. “It seems more students are being directed towards college preparatory classes rather than our type of industry.
“Programs like ‘Wheels of Learning’ are making a difference,” he adds. “We also have participated in summer programs for senior and junior students.”
Chip Crane, president of F. L. Crane & Sons in Fulton, says his firms utilizes the association programs as well as apprenticeship programs and in-house training to develop new members of the work force. “We go to the schools on career days and explain the benefits of jobs in the construction industry,” says Crane, “even for students who will first be getting a college degree. There is still a good demand for skilled craftsmen.”
Cleveland’s Robinson Brothers Electric Co. also makes use of part-time and summer employees to help train future workers, says David Robinson. “We’re always looking for qualified people, and with some of the recent down-sizing at companies in the area, there are some qualified people looking for work. But workforce training programs provide an excellent way to give new people a start in the industry.”
In Clarksdale, Charles White of White Construction cites the ABC and local community college programs as positives. “There is definitely a need for strong work-force training in the Delta,” he says. “It’s good that groups are getting in and talking with the high school students. Construction is a good profession for the right people.”
While workforce training programs do not provide the majority of new employees to CRS Engineering & Design Consultants in Jackson, Tom Shaw agrees that the long-term benefits are there. “We’re primarily looking for experienced people, but we have used summer engineers and made use of co-op programs. It’s a good way for employers and prospective employees to get to know one another.”
The current construction climate in the Delta, compared to other parts of the state, is perceived in different ways. Tom Shaw of CRS feels that there is “something of a slowdown” in the Delta. David Robinson says his business has been surprisingly strong, but adds, “I think the Delta business climate is stronger than in some other parts of the state.” Like many others, John Laws points out the activity around the coming Nissan plant as a major influence on Delta construction. “The southern Delta has good prospects because of Nissan,” he says. “This part of the state is lucky in that regard—we may not see a significant increase, but I think work will be steady.”
Perry Atherton of Atherton Engineering in Jackson feels that the Delta is slightly behind some other areas of the state, particularly the Northeast. “I believe this has to do with the spending of state monies at state institutions,” he explains. “There is a lot of work going on at the colleges located in the northeastern part of the state.”
Cautious optimism seems to be the common feeling about the outlook for Delta area construction in the coming months. Buddy Edens says, “Construction across the state is flat, but we may see an increase in the fourth quarter. Most work seems to be medium-size commercial, not a lot of industrial. One thing that has increased is the construction of power generation plants.”
Both Tom Shaw and Chip Crane mention the likelihood of increased public works construction in coming months. As Shaw says, “This is one role of the state and federal governments—as the private sector slows down, the government can accelerate some projects they have on the books.”
Chip Crane says that the Delta area has been good for his company since they opened an area office in Boyle. He reports that they have done a number of office, manufacturing, and renovation projects in the area, including work for Viking Range and State Bank of Cleveland. White Construction is working on power plant and doctors’ clinic projects, as well as casino renovation jobs, says Charles White.
Perry Atherton’s firm is working on a number of Delta projects, including several at Mississippi Valley State University. These include a science and technology facility and a recreation/assembly building.
John Laws, whose company worked on the Belzoni High School in recent years, reports that he is in discussions with several Nissan suppliers who will be building in the area. Robinson Brothers Electric recently completed work at Heartland Catfish, and is completing work at the Greenwood Middle School; their other projects include the Bolivar County Courthouse and the Cleveland State Bank. According to Tom Shaw, CRS is working on the Greenwood-Leflore Hospital and the Coahoma County Courthouse, and recently worked on Indianola’s Delta Center. DBJ