By Jennifer Farnsworth
Jennifer@ballstonjournalnews.com

Twenty three of our 114 Southern Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce members are building design and construction companies, making them a large part of the local economy. The Chamber recently took note of that deciding to reach out to this business sector, asking how they have been fairing through the recession.

President and CEO of the Chamber, Peter Aust said one of the goals of the survey was to find out what members have been most affected by the slowdown in the economy, especially evident in design and construction activity. The results were released last week at Curtis Lumber in Ballston Spa, where Angst said it was apparent companies like Global Foundries have brought a lot of hopes to local businesses looking to benefit from their move to Malta.

A total fifty-one construction professionals and companies participated in the survey, with 26 rating the current construction economy as “fair.” Only 12 said they felt it was in poor shape with 11 saying they feel it is strong. Seventy one percent of the respondents said the 2008 Government Stimulus Act was not helpful and 76 percent stated that the funding for future projects is not readily available. Despite economic challenges, 71 percent stated that they have not been successful in recouping the cost of permitting and approvals.

Some of the suggestions being made by the chamber in response to the results include facilitating meetings with local officials, issue press releases citing opinions favoring responsible development on project related issues, more aggressively favoring tax reform in addition to other ways of promoting local small and large business needs.

The survey identified several positive points including 94 percent stated that they have not closed or eliminated a phase of business, office or branch, 69 percent stated  they are not having a problem hiring skilled and trained workers and  61percent stated that the green movement has made positive impact on the industry.

Doug Ford, Director of Sales and Operations for Curtis Lumber Manager and member of the executive board of the Chamber of Southern Saratoga, said he helped create the survey in an effort to gauge the impact the economy has had on construction related industries.  Ford said the survey also weighed the impact of the Luther Forest Technology Park and Global Foundries.

“As a major supplier of building materials in this area we need to be tune with what’s happening both currently and long term. The survey provided some insight to the attitudes, opinions, and thoughts of a cross section of the industry,” said Ford.

Ford said this is just one of the tools the Chamber is using to help support local business. He said the follow-up surveys and reviews are also being planned as part of the long term process.

“The Chamber of Southern Saratoga under the leadership of Peter Aust is very forward thinking and is committed to helping its members be successful,” said Ford.