Government

A long-awaited federal bill that will fund upgrades to the nation’s highway infrastructure was finalized during 2021, the culmination of tough legislative effort and a welcome outcome for trucking.

ATLANTA — Rivian Automotive was attracted to Georgia’s education system, resources and talent when choosing a site for its $5 billion battery and assembly plant, a company official said Dec. 16 as the project was officially announced.

The shortage of professional drivers quickly became the defining issue for the industry during the past year with its far-reaching effects.

A coalition of trucking, transportation and manufacturing stakeholders in letters sent to President Joe Biden, members of his Cabinet and congressional leaders expressed concern over how the persistent shortage of semiconductors needed for manufacturing new trucks is affecting the broader economic landscape.

In the nearly two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. economy has been battered and undergone substantial change. Through it all, economists and experts say it has shown remarkable resilience.

Senate Democrats are abandoning efforts to pass President Joe Biden’s $2 trillion economic agenda this year, delivering a political blow to the White House, which has failed to rally the fractious party around its signature legislation.

Growth in U.S. business activity cooled to a still-solid pace in early December, while cost pressures intensified for service providers and eased somewhat for manufacturers.

The U.S. Senate continued to debate the White House’s nearly $2 trillion social infrastructure budget agenda as a committee considered President Joe Biden’s nominee for transportation safety affairs.

2021 was an especially busy year for trucking in terms of acquisitions, with various factors creating an ideal market for buyers and sellers.

New home construction in the U.S. rebounded 11.8% in November as strong demand continues to boost builder confidence even with the slower winter season approaching.