These reporters are such ignoramus economic idiots.
Any dollars spent on construction will be coming out of NOT buying other stuff which would have been bought otherwise.
If hurricanes improve the economy why not push for more “climate change”....yeah baby burn more fossil fuels! Such idiocy!!
There are only 4 events which improve economy:
1. Mining: includes extraction of minerals, fuels, etc.
2. Manufacturing: This event enhances value of raw materials into finished goods, creating additional wealth. Also includes power plants, house & building construction etc.
3. Agriculture: Seeds & fertilizer are lot cheaper than the harvested products. This also includes poultry, fish & animal farming. Less input cost, more output value.
4. Creation of intellectual items & products: This includes such items as software, new product development etc. which all have a demand in the market place. Invention of “Windows” operating system for PC’s is a good example. This type of activity increases productivity, which creates more wealth.
All service activities such as retailing, lawyers, accountants, repairing of hurricane damaged properties etc do not create additional wealth. These are all dependent and users of existing wealth. Without additional wealth creation there is no increase in economy.
Not quite true (unless I misunderstood you). Provision of services can create wealth just like the manufacturing of goods, or mining, etc.