Things really start changing if you're flipping, rehabbing, where the value of a contractor/supplier network can have massive benefits.  

Waiters will get laid off, chefs, suppliers. 

Having said that, I graduated with A piece of paper that says I graduatedA huge network of alumni who are all in the same business as I am (architects, GC's, subs, developers, suppliers, etc)A technical knowledge of the business (Enough to keep me out of trouble, and to know when to consult an attorney, engineer, architect, or more often than not, a veteran tradesman)The network I developed is worth ten-fold the cost of the degree.

There's a lot of things being developed (i.e. the increased container business, auto export, a new consolidated airport downtown that will likely be international, the redevelopment of Broad Street, the redevelopment of downtown Mobile, city council announced in July they are talking with another Airbus supplier to move to Brookley Field, the development of the Technology Corridor downtown) all of which are going online now, next year and the years to come. 

I typically buy my materials from a commercial supplier because my husband works for a general contractor firm but when we are in a pinch, a new menards opened up and we love it there, we use our pro account at home depot too.

It’s more economically effective to subsidize the people you are trying to help then to put an expensive but unseen compliance burden of the supplier as it adds inherent economic inefficiencies.

Some company’s enjoy making profit being a middle-supplier versus an end-supplier.

One of the bigger oil field pipe suppliers has been servicing that area out of their Houston and Odessa locations but is talking about opening up a Pleasanton which should bring in a number of higher paying jobs.  

I could see if you always moved cases of a product as a supplier for 30 years, that you would do mental math in “cases” as it would be natural to you (a case could be 20, 24, 30, etc.). 

Joint venture with someone you trust, you be the money supplier and they handle the job and you guys split the profit when the project is done which might work if your still working and you have an iron clad agreement drawn up first.3.