I need to rant today. I have a (very) small architectural practice that was quite successful until mid-2008. Since then I have seen many of my colleagues lose their jobs or go out of business. I've managed to hang on. but only because I'm taking work outside of my profession.
While the American Institute of Architects (AIA) has done a pretty good job of keeping tabs on stimulus money and the recovery in general, the latest news really pisses me off.
The problem is that the vast majority of this stim money is STILL going to get circulated at the top. Construction does a lot to stimulate the economy, it really does - don't get me wrong. But what seems to be happening is that the projects are so freaking HUGE that there is no way in hell anyone short of large architectural and construction firms are going to even come close to being able to get these jobs:
A Stimulus Success Story (ha. ha.)
Ultimately, it was the strength of relationships in the private sector that gave WDG its big break in the federal world. The firm had worked extensively with Maryland-based developer Foulger-Pratt on commercial and mixed-use projects since the late 1960s. Three years ago, WDG began discussions with the developer’s construction division to team up and pursue federal work. The plan paid off in the fall of 2008, when the duo was awarded a design-build contract for the Army’s $33 million Missile Defense Agency Headquarters building at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia . The 99,000-square-foot administrative building is scheduled for completion in 2010. This past spring, the two firms followed up with a design-build contract for the new $50 million, 141,000-square-foot Army Test Evaluation Command Headquarters in Maryland, which is scheduled to be completed in 2011.
I'm in San Diego, and obviously most of the stim money here is in Navy contracts. The Navy hires a select few architects and contractors; it's virtually impossible to get on the list unless you have 50 people and at least several archi's who have Navy experience.
My point is that if we really care about small businesses, then quit investing all this stim money in these ginormous contracts!! This money will NOT trickle down to people like me. Small contractors? Forget it. Electricians, plumbers? FORGET IT.
Big corporations = big military = big contracts = big firms
So, either you're an employee, unmployed or an unemployed small business owner. How can we expect to realistically stimulate the economy without sharing the wealth with our small local businesses?
We're struggling here - if I have my own projects, then I won't have to look for a job. I also might be able to hire one or two people. What good does it do to give all the work to huge corporations? They're already doing okay; the firm in the example has been around since the 60's and they've been able to hire ringers to help them get the gov't jobs. Doesn't sound like they're hurting much now, does it?
Spread the wealth - give us all a chance!
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