The coal mining industry created a skilled labor force and resilient distribution network in Appalachia, but its decline has stranded assets and left many struggling to find work. As we consider how best to transition these workers to a post-coal world, it is clear there is a critical gap in American manufacturing they can fill.

As you probably know, America is experiencing an affordable housing crisis. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC), 580,000+ people are experiencing homelessness on any given night, while 70% of all extremely low income families pay more than half their income on rent. The NLIHC estimates that only 57 rental units are affordable and available for every 100 very low-income renters.

On July 1st 2021, ADL Ventures was pleased to have the opportunity to meet with Tom Sanford, owner of Sanford Contracting Inc. in North Billerica, MA. Sanford has been advancing prefabrication for the past 47 years and has an impressive panelized building portfolio, including Foxwoods Hotel and Casino and Assembly Row at Assembly Square.

Nolan Browne and Diana Fisler represented ADL Ventures at the Advancing Prefabrication conference in Dallas, TX on Wednesday, June 16 and Thursday, June 17. The multi-day event, Advancing Prefabrication, sought to advance prefab and modular construction by connecting industry leaders, designers, contractors, modular firms, and other related stakeholders.

The construction industry has been contending with an aging workforce, extended labor shortages, lack of innovation, and narrow profit margins for decades. Since 1947, it has been outpaced in labor productivity by a factor of 16. It’s no surprise then that, on average, large construction projects tend to be 80% over budget and 20 months delayed.