2023 Year in Review: Michael Montante, Uniland Development Company

What person, project, transaction, or market trend had the greatest impact on your industry this year?

We celebrated the opening of a spec industrial/warehouse at Renaissance Commerce Park in Lackawanna, NY. The 150,000 s/f facility is fully leased by out-of-town companies that are expanding here. We are finalizing construction of our second industrial facility onsite, 2 Steelworkers Way to foster more economic activity.

What was your greatest professional accomplishment or most notable project, deal, or transaction in 2023?

As companies recalibrate their workspace requirements, we had one of our best years in leasing as we worked with a range of clients, from financial services and medical providers to consumer and industrial firms on workspace to meet their operational needs and foster their company cultures.

What emerging trends will drive investment and development in 2024? With high interest rates, costs, and other major uncertainties hovering over the market, there may be a smaller window for major new projects. However, as more loans become due, there may be opportunities to acquire distressed properties and for other strategic investments.