As The nation struggles to deal with the largest economic crisis in decades, attention is focused on an economic stimulus bill that many believe should contain significant dollars for infrastructure improvements that will create jobs at both the local and state levels, the Portland Cement Association (PCA) said.
According to Ed Sullivan, chief economist for PCA, if the government does not act quickly the nation could lose two million jobs in 2009.
“Times are tough,” Sullivan said in a press release. “We need a government stimulus package that creates jobs throughout the nation. Infrastructure funding could create jobs on both an immediate and long-term basis. For every 10 construction jobs created by a project, the community gains 17 additional jobs that stay in the region even after a project's completion.”
However, simply building and repairing roads is not enough for continued economic stability. The projects must be constructed with the highest quality materials, PCA warned.