The construction industry has been on a roller-coaster ride for the past three years, from an all-time low in jobs and projects in spring of 2020; to a flurry of building activity to meet pent-up demand; to frustrating snafus with supply chain issues. 

And that’s to say nothing of the nationwide hiring dilemma in the skilled trades. While some of those struggles mentioned above have been resolved since the onset of the pandemic, bringing people to the construction field continues to be an uphill battle. With all that in mind, what will it take for the industry to return to business as usual? In this week's Northern Express, sister publication of The Ticker, editor Jillian Manning looks at national and statewide trends and asks local employment experts and business owners what they think will move the needle.

The Northern Express is available to read online, or pick up a free copy at one of nearly 700 spots in 14 counties across northern Michigan.