“That’s something we can do today,” Knowles says. “The person could be sitting in the Atlanta office and running a pit loader in Macon, Georgia.”
Healthy dynamics otherwise
On the bright side, producers like Miller say business is good – especially in Georgia.
“I think there are 2 million more people supposed to move to metro Atlanta in the next 20 years,” Miller says. “It will probably happen in the next 10.”
Low taxes will draw people into Georgia, he adds, along with available land, a low cost of living and good weather.
“Georgia is a great place to be,” Miller says. “And it’s not just Atlanta.”
Knowles is optimistic about the year ahead, as well, despite the intensifying challenges in hiring and retention.
“I feel good about where we’re at because demand is so strong,” Knowles says. “Pricing is strong. Operationally, I am very worried about the labor shortage because I think, ultimately, at some point, that dictates what we’re able to sell. But, overall, I feel great about the industry.”
The outlook for Georgia is particularly strong, Knowles adds.
“I’ve worked in Florida, Georgia, Virginia and Maryland in my career, and I would say Georgia currently has the strongest economic outlook I’ve seen in 23 years of doing this,” he says. “We have a fantastic port, we have fantastic infrastructure. We’ve got a wonderful DOT (Department of Transportation). I could go on for days about how good they are.
“We’ve got a governor and a government that supports industry,” Knowles adds. “And that has been proven through the years.”
Featured photo: P&Q Staff
