Gray Construction of Lexington, Ky. was named the nation’s safest construction company in 2013 by AGC of America. The association, which oversees the Willis Construction Safety Excellence Awards, an annual ranking of construction safety programs, noted that 51 other companies were selected as winners for the quality of their safety programs.
Construction employers added 15,000 workers to payrolls in February despite harsh winter working conditions, raising industry employment to the highest level since June 2009, according to an analysis of new government data by AGC of America. However, association officials noted that as the industry adds jobs many firms report they are already having a hard time finding skilled workers.
Las Vegas-based Horses 4 Heroes opened a new facility at the historic Tule Springs Ranch today after volunteer contractors completed roughly $80,000 worth of work on the weeks-long project and donated an additional $20,000 for the group. Construction charity organization AGC Charities, Inc., with the leadership of Martin-Harris Construction, built a new riding center, mare motel and petting zoo as part of its series of renovation projects known as Operation Opening Doors.
Salt Lake City’s Airport Light Rail extension was the most significant construction project of 2013, AGC of America announced today. As a result, the project’s contractors, Stacy and Witbeck and Kiewit Western, was the Alliant Build America Grand Award winner, while 19 other firms received awards in various categories. The project also earned a merit award in the Marvin M. Black Partnering Excellence category and was recognized as an AGC in the Community Award winner.
Total construction spending in January posted the steepest year-over-year increase since 2006, with growth in public construction as well as private residential and nonresidential spending, according to an analysis of new Census Bureau data by AGC of America.
Construction charity organization AGC Charities, Inc. announced today that it will build a new equestrian center for a local charity group that provides equestrian programs and activities for veterans, their families and local first responders. As part of its annual Operation Opening Doors effort, contractors will donate their time, expertise and money to create a new facility for Horses 4 Heroes.
Prices for materials used in construction and for nonresidential building construction both increased more than overall prices for "final demand" in January, according to a new analysis of retooled federal data on producer prices released today by AGC of America. As a result, margins remain very tight for most construction firms even as private-sector demand for construction continues to grow.
Construction employment jumped by the largest monthly amount in nearly seven years in January, bringing industry employment to the highest level since July 2009, according to an analysis of new government data by AGC.
Construction employment expanded in 192 metro areas, declined in 84 and was stagnant in 63 between December 2012 and December 2013, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by AGC of America. Association officials said that even with so many metro areas adding jobs for the year, only 20 metro areas topped previous construction employment peaks for the month.
Total construction spending edged up 0.1 percent in December and rose by a modest 4.8 percent for all of 2013, as a robust market for apartments and single-family houses outweighed downturns in private nonresidential and public projects, according to an analysis of new Census Bureau data by AGC of America. Association officials added that swift Congressional action on vital highway and water infrastructure measures would give a needed boost to public-sector demand.