Four years after the COVID-19 pandemic knocked New Yorkers down (but not out), the city that never sleeps is bustling with activity once again. Small businesses are thriving, and the city is proving that economic recovery is always a safe bet here, no matter how long the odds.

Nearly every facet of the private sector is back – save for tourism, hospitality, and entertainment, which are still hovering below where they were pre-pandemic. As that sector continues to limp back from a devastating several years, the construction industry remains volatile without a steady flow of large-scale projects on the horizon. The current lack of an agreed-to housing plan in New York State’s budget negotiations creates a parallel problem that could mean construction jobs remain lagging (still down roughly 7% from 2019).