I’d like to wish you a Belated Happy New Year! If you’re anything like me, you’re still trying to break the habit of writing 2015 on checks instead of 2016; however, I think 2016 is finally starting to come easier and the year itself is picking up some momentum.

Construction spending is at its highest level since the Great Recession, and most design firms are seeing a relatively steady increase in work. Continued growth will depend on a variety of factors, most of which are outside the control of structural engineers. …