Founded in 1981 by Fred Jones, C. F. Jones Group offers a full spectrum of contracting and construction services for organizations throughout central Indiana.

Press Release

Lebanon, Indiana—April 21, 2009--With the passage of the “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009” central Indiana architectural, engineering and construction industry professionals are guardedly optimistic about the economy, according to a poll conducted in March 2009 by C.F. Jones Group.

Bart Fisher, C.F. Jones marketing and business development director, managed the poll. He says, “The biggest and broadest question, ‘How’s business?’ brought an answer of optimism in the fourth quarter of 2008 with 54% of respondents feeling the commercial real estate market was strong. Now, at the end of the first quarter 2009 it brings an answer that is guardedly optimistic with nearly 30% of respondents answering the market is strong.”

As economic conditions soured in the fourth quarter 2008, C.F. Jones leadership wanted to know the pulse of their commercial construction business partners. A poll was conducted in 4Q 2008 to analyze the business market. A similar poll was repeated in March 2009 to compare economic perceptions. Questions were added to the most recent poll to inquire about the Recovery Reinvestment Act.

Who answered the March 2009 poll?
The top four industries represented by respondents are as follows:
• Architecture and Engineering 36.9%
• Construction and Skilled Trades 36.9%
• Banking 7.1%
• Commercial Real Estate 2.3%

Public projects already being realized:
The poll shows respondents are already realizing an uptick in business from public projects:
• 59% say they are receiving business from public projects in March 2009
• 47% said they were receiving business from public projects in November 2008

The overall business environment from March to November shows:
• 29.7% consider the commercial real estate market strong (November 54%)
• 77.3% do not foresee increasing staff within 6 months (November 71%)
• 36.5% anticipate increasing revenues over the next 6 months (November 32%)
• 51.2% expect their margins to remain stable or increase (November 62%)
• 13.3% consider expanding or renovating their facilities (November 17%)
• 75.9% feel that commercial credit is available (November 72%)

Green Building Bids
The poll also asked if respondents felt LEED (Green Building) and the practice of awarding public contracts to the lowest bidder could co-exist.
• Overall, 22.7% believed these two systems would merge.
• Isolating these results showed 29.4% of public firms and 16.3% of private firms held this mutual observation.

About the Poll
C.F. Jones conducted the poll via Survey Monkey in November 2008 and March 2009. The poll was sent via email to 810 and 863 professionals in 2008 and 2009, respectively. In November there were 101 respondents and in March 85 respondents. The company will issue the final installment of its poll in September 2009.

ABOUT C.F. JONES GROUP
Founded in 1981 by Fred Jones, C. F. Jones Group offers a full spectrum of contracting and construction services for organizations throughout central Indiana operating within a wide range of businesses including animal sciences, commercial/retail, faith based, restaurants, medical/fitness, public education and restoration/renovation. Typical project work includes; design/build, construction manager, and general contracting. Located in Lebanon, IN, C. F. Jones Group has the expertise and staff to ensure strict budget and schedule adherence through construction master planning and design team engagement. For more information, visit www.C.F.jones.com.

Source: C.F. Jones Group