MOUNT STEWART – Builders and contractors like Carson Gill are benefitting from an active 2017 for residential construction in Prince Edward Island.
Statistics from the province indicate housing starts are up 43.7 per cent compared to 2016 and building permits have increased 23.8 per cent.
Gill, who owns Gill Construction in Mount Stewart, said he’s busy most years but 2017 has been especially strong.
“Simply put, this is the busiest our company has ever been on the residential construction side,” he said. “And while we intend to maintain our company’s size to help ensure our reputation for quality is protected, we could easily add staff to help meet the ever growing demand for our services.”
Gill Construction is not alone. In fact, the Construction Association of Prince Edward Island says its members are looking to hire up to 400 additional workers to keep up with the extraordinary demand.
“The demand for services is creating some challenges,” P.E.I. Construction Association General Manager Sam Sanderson said.
Construction is just one of many sectors of the economy posting impressive year-over-year increases in 2017.
FIVE FAST FACTS
- P.E.I. unemployment rate - 8.8
- full-time employment through November - 83.1
- total labour force - 81,100,
- increase in exports through September - 5.3%
- manufacturing sales increase through September - 8.9%
