While the region’s seven states report improved public and private markets from 2021 through this year, problems with the availability and delivery of materials, labor shortages and the rise in inflation continue to curb revenue and expectations at construction firms.

Some states in the region could see as much as a 6% increase in construction starts this coming year; others will struggle with declining state revenues and population loss.

A  Tennessee road and bridge builder has agreed to pay $2.25 million to settle a whistle-blower lawsuit that accused the firm of fraud by putting its own employees on the payroll of a dis­advantaged business enterprise it used to get contracts for 12 projects in Tennessee.