February 2024 City Scoop: Salt Lake City
City Grill
Joey Gilbert
President/CEO
AGC of Utah
“Utah maintains its standing as one of the leading states in terms of overall economic strength and fiscal stability,” Gilbert says. “Currently, the commercial construction industry is navigating a notable shift in focus from multifamily and large office construction projects to a focus on commercial and government funded projects. This strategic adjustment is driven by the ongoing need to find market sectors within the state that have or are receiving the necessary funding to build.
“Challenges persist statewide, primarily around supply chain disruptions. Not only are materials still difficult to come by, but their cost has continued to rise, resulting in projects experiencing delays. The industry also continues to be challenged with a workforce labor shortage which we are actively addressing,” he says. “In the face of these challenges, the construction sector is poised for growth in 2024, such as we saw in 2023. Utah’s overall growth underscores the demand for critical infrastructure, particularly in the Salt Lake Valley, where the necessity for highways, roads and commercial development remains high.”
