Economist: Construction tends to progress more quickly in favorable weather conditions than in adverse ones, so mild winters in regions that typically endure severe weather can seem to trigger construction surges as builders finalize projects that would otherwise be postponed. However, predicting one mild winter or even two for such regions usually does not result in overall increases in construction during these times, because construction financing is often secured well over a year in advance, and because __________.

Which of the following, if true, most logically completes the economist's argument?