Hard Times

Todays post is a little off topic, but its something that has a huge impact on my life, so I thought it deserved a space of its own. As many know, the construction industry in Florida has really taken a big hit in the last year. You can click here to find out more. I'm a bookkeeper and office manager for a residential/commercial contractor in Ocala. Business has boomed in the eight years I've been here. However, with the media constantly talking about a recession and the problems the national financial leaders have led us to, construction and even real estate sales have come to a screeching halt. We were fortunate that it didn't actually start to effect our company until about eight months or so ago. We had enough projects that were in progress that we were busy until late last year. Its quite a different story now. It seems the only new construction going on in Central Florida is commercial for the most part. Even with those new contracts, the lending institutions have put such tight restrictions and requirements on anyone trying to get a construction or equity loan that its almost impossible. I'm keeping a positive attitude, which is hard at times. I would never have imagined that our company would be in the position we are faced with now. The construction industry was the leading industry in our area for years and now there are so many people out of work and could lose everything they've worked so hard for. I took it for granted that it would always be here. Its amazing how quickly things can change.