“ Aside from pursuing my Bachelor’s degree (in Construction Management), I am also working on three minors in Spanish, architecture and business administration.  I stay heavily involved with the CM program and strive to give back to the program by participating on one of the school’s ASC competition teams as well as taking leadership roles in the extra-curricular student groups.  I currently serve as president of the Associated Students of Construction Management and as vice president of our DBIA student chapter.  I plan to graduate in the spring of 2013 and hope to begin work in commercial construction and eventually reach my goal of project management.  Thanks to you, I am now one step closer to achieving my dreams.”

Construction materials costs dropped in November, aided by a plunge in diesel prices along with smaller decreases in a variety of other inputs, according to an analysis of new federal figures released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that some of the price declines may be related to the fact that the threat of the fiscal cliff is already having an impact on demand for construction and related materials.

Construction employment declined by 20,000 jobs in November while the industry's unemployment rate hit 12.2 percent, according to an analysis of new federal data released today by AGC. The construction employment figures likely reflect the fact many contractors have already cut staff and delayed hiring new employees because of the threat of the “fiscal cliff,” according to results of a survey of member firms the association also released today.

Construction employment declined in 156 out of 337 metropolitan areas between October 2011 and October 2012, increased in 127 and was stagnant in 54, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. However, construction jobs in many parts of the country are at risk if Congress and the president allow the “fiscal cliff” to occur, according to a new report the association released today.

All major segments of construction spending increased in October, bringing total spending to a 37-month high at an annualized rate of $872 billion, according to an analysis of new federal data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America.

Construction employment declined in 28 states from October 2011 to October 2012 even as 31 states and D.C. added jobs during the past month, according to an analysis by AGC of Labor Department data.  Association officials noted that residential construction gains were being undermined by the broader business uncertainty being caused by the threat of the looming fiscal cliff.

Construction contractors face a continuing cost squeeze, even though a key price index for construction materials dipped in October and showed only a moderate increase over the past year, according to an analysis of federal figures released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials warned that recent and announced price increases may threaten the survival of some contractors.

Construction employers added 17,000 jobs in October while the industry's unemployment rate fell to 11.4 percent, according to an analysis of new federal data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that total construction employment levels have changed little during the past year while the declines in the industry’s unemployment rate are coming as more former workers leave the industry.

Construction spending in September climbed to a nearly three-year high at an annualized rate of $852 billion, as increased spending on houses, apartments and private nonresidential projects outweighed a continuing downturn in public construction, according to an analysis of new federal data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said they expect both the public and private trends to continue despite the disruption caused by Hurricane Sandy.

Construction charity organization AGC Charities, Inc. announced today that it will renovate part of the American Legion Post located on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. to make the facility more handicap accessible. Contractors will donate their time, expertise and money to make a series of improvements to the Kenneth H. Nash Post 8 building.