Equipment purchasing throughout the United States has been helped by the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 (ESA), but the decline in the housing market and other economic factors have many contractors passing on the opportunity to purchase new equipment according to a combined report by the Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) and the National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA).
The survey results conclude that the ESA’s capital investment incentives have made a positive impact on utility contractors’ purchasing of equipment, and will continue to have a positive impact throughout 2008.
The report also shows that extending the ESA’s capital investment incentives would have a positive impact on equipment purchasing next year and demonstrates the direct relationship that water infrastructure spending has on the equipment industry. Additionally, passing legislation to increase federal investment in water infrastructure would have a positive impact on the economy and struggling utility industry facilitating contractors to take advantage of the ESA.
