Blogs

Commercial construction costs hinge on two primary categories: materials and skilled labor. Therefore, when both are in short supply and more expensive, already small profit margins contract even further. To counteract rising costs, many CRE firms simply raise their prices—which could further negatively affect the industry. First, there was Covid-19. Then came widespread labor shortages. Supply chain collapses saw rising commercial construction costs dig into profit margins worldwide. And now—to top it all off—there’s inflation. Rising steel prices, peaking at nearly $2,000/ton have affected...

Recent legislation has allowed for significant capital-gains tax savings on investments in designated opportunity zones (“OZs”). There are over 8,000 Opportunity Zones spread throughout all 50 states and U.S. territories, with the entire island of Puerto Rico being one. In general, the zones were designated by governors and located within low-to-moderate income census tracts. This program could offer considerable benefits for investors, lenders and the communities located in OZs, but the benefits do come with risk and some unknowns. In a very basic sense, Opportunity Zone legislation reduces...

The farm labor shortage, soaring fertilizer prices, and increasing inflation can easily put a damper on what otherwise should be a favorable time for agriculture. While the effects of these price fluctuations can be mitigated, doing so requires careful planning and preparation. The farming industry—like every industry—has had to grapple with significant (and in some cases systemic) changes over the past few years in the way it conducts business. Demand for row crops, fresh produce, and nuts and berries has stayed robust. But the lingering after-effects of Covid-19 persist, causing supply chain...

While we may not have a magic wand to reveal the future, we have the next best thing! View our 2021 Mid-Year Economic Update webinar to catch a glimpse of how your business may be impacted by possible market and industry trends. Leading economist, Anirban Basu, Chairman and CEO of Sage Policy Group, Inc., delivers an insightful, entertaining “Chamber of Data” themed presentation that pays a subtle homage to the Harry Potter series. Don’t worry, we didn’t let the sorcery get out of hand. During this webinar, Basu delivered economic data and an analysis juxtaposing the pre-pandemic and pandemic...

With ongoing supply chain constrictions, international conflicts, and the resulting inflationary prices and potentially rising interest rates, it is an understatement to call the economic environment uncertain. As a result, it’s prudent to consider expanded investment options and seek wealth-management advice. The Federal Reserve is expected to increase rates in March to combat inflation, yet the Russian invasion of Ukraine may change its calculations in the event of a potential worldwide energy shock. Given these uncertainties, however, it’s still safe to say that the Fed is shifting policy...