Based on an informal conversation this past weekend...
An elder with "connections" to the local RBC stated that he heard that the Society was instituting a moratorium on all Kingdom Hall construction in the US and Canada. Any projects for which funding has already been arranged will continue, but as of now, no new KH construction loans are being approved by the Society.
There are enough projects in the pipeline that RBCs will still be busy for the next year or 2, but after that....who knows?
My thoughts:
-- IF TRUE, it is further evidence backing the speculation presented on this forum and elsewhere that the Society is "asset-rich but cashflow-poor"
-- The Society has been slowly & gradually shifting its focus from the printing industry to real estate. Things must really be bad if they are calling a halt to new construction.
-- The small group discussing it seemed rather concerned & bewildered. One commented "well, with t heeconomy the way it is, people must not be contributing like they did before."
-- Can we expect to see more articles about being a "cheerful giver"? Methinks that 2 Cor. 9:7 will soon replace Matt. 24:45-47 as the most frequently cited scripture in WT study articles.