Join SMU for a Community Chat with AGC Chief Economist Ken Simonson on April 15

What we’ll talk about

As always, there is a lot to discuss when it comes to construction.

On the one hand, some mills and steel processors are incredibly bullish on demand from data centers, the power infrastructure required to support them, and the steel intensity of it all. On the other hand, tariffs are still driving up material costs – and the Trump administration remains committed to them. Immigration policy continues to limit labor supply. And inflation stemming from the Iran war means the chance of more rate cuts is very slim.

We’ll also discuss some specific impacts of the conflict.

Over the long term, there are massive, multi-year opportunities to rebuild damaged (and steel-intensive) oil and natural gas facilities. But in the near term, there are risks. Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds, for example, have been significant investors in infrastructure projects around the world. Will they continue to be? And what is the fate of mega-projects in the region, such as Saudi Arabia’s planned city of Neom?

As always, we’ll keep it to about 45 minutes. You can drop in, learn something – and then get on with your day. We’ll take your questions too. So remember to think of some good ones for the Q&A.

Why should you listen?

Because the construction sector matters to your business. And because AGC is the leading association for the US construction industry, with more than 28,000 member firms across a range of markets. Also, Simonson has been chief economist at AGC since 2001, so he has seen more than a few construction cycles.

Editor’s note

If you’d like to see past Community Chat webinars, you can find those here. I suggest checking out a good one we recorded earlier this month with George Adams, CEO of SA Recycling.