Infrastructure funding driving Oklahoma’s 2022 outlook

Devery Youngblood, executive director of the Oklahoma Aggregates Association, shared his thoughts on how 2021 was for his state and what his outlook for 2022 is.

Describe the current state of the industry within your state in a word or two.

Better than expected.

Describe your outlook for the aggregate industry in 2022.

Somewhat optimistic.

What factors are driving your outlook for 2022?

We have a good backlog of state infrastructure business and proximity to growing markets.

What are the greatest opportunities available to aggregate producers within your state in 2022?

If the infrastructure bill becomes law and can cut through enough red tape to make it into the marketplace, we would go from ‘somewhat optimistic’ to ‘extremely optimistic.’ Passage is one thing; getting those dollars through the system and into the ground is the challenge.

What are the greatest challenges aggregate producers will face within your state in 2022?

Supply chain issues are starting to catch up to us as an industry. Chip shortages are now holding up production of vehicles and equipment. Also, the ever-present workforce issues and what appears to be a realignment of worker expectations leave a lot of unknowns.

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