CHEYENNE, WYOMING - The pace of construction in Cheyenne hasn't slowed despite national increases in the cost of materials. The Associated General Contractors of America predicts that construction costs nationwide will rise between 6% and 8% this year. That's more than double the general rate of inflation.
Wally Reiman is president of the Wyoming Contractors Association. He says the trend is hitting home here. Reiman said the cost of raw materials such as cement and steel has increased sharply over the past five years. He said the cost of copper has jumped 40%, raising the cost of electrical and plumbing work.
International demand for building materials is also raising costs. The United States is shipping materials to countries such as China, India and Canada. And many Wyoming workers have left construction for higher pay in the oil and gas fields.
But higher construction costs haven't slowed the pace of building in Cheyenne. Reiman says local contractors are building new restaurants, schools and shops. More than three dozen projects are ongoing in the city.