Joplin Sees Worst Building Year in a Decade

It should come as no surprise that new construction is down significantly during the current economic recession.  Joplin's numbers only confirm that things are not good for construction.  According to the Joplin Globe, Joplin reported its worst year for construction in at least a decade. The permits indicate that the value of new business and new home construction was down by half, compared with the previous year.

The Globe's article comments on current projects underway in the city:

Construction has been sluggish in Joplin since the recession began, with few seven-figure projects filed by the private sector, but October included three permits valued at more than $1 million. One of those was at Joplin Regional Airport for a new electrical vault building for lighting controls for the airfield, as well as signage and striping. The largest was $5.1 million for work on the Gryphon Building at 1027 S. Main St. It was filed by Neal Group Construction.

Despite the numbers, some contractors remain optimistic.  September saw an uptick in new home construction.

For people in the need for construction, it remains a buyer's market.  Local cities (and ultimately the taxpayers) have benefited from the construction slowdown as builders are being very aggressive on bids to try to capture what little work is out there.