As the economy continues to steadily recover, FMI, a construction and engineering industry consulting firm, predicts new construction projects will grow 8% this year based on the firm’s “Construction Outlook 1^st Quarter Report.”

“Despite the long list of challenges the economy is facing, we expect total construction put in place to grow 8% in 2015 or somewhat faster than in 2014,” said J. Randall Giggard, managing director of research services for FMI. “The biggest challenge faced by contractors this year continues to be finding and retaining the best talent.”