Construction employment increased in 171 out of 337 metropolitan areas between February 2011 and February 2012, decreased in 119 and stayed level in 47, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by AGC.

Construction spending in February topped year-ago totals by 5.8 percent as a double-digit increase in private construction offset a small drop in public sector spending, according to a new analysis of federal data released today by AGC. The gains occurred despite a 1.1 percent decrease in spending from January to February and a dip of 0.8 percent the month before, based on revised data.

Construction employment rose in 30 states and the District of Columbia between February 2011 and February 2012, while 18 states lost construction jobs and two held steady—the best net positive showing for state construction employment since January 2007, according to an analysis byAGC of Labor Department data. Twenty-nine states and D.C. added construction jobs between January and February, while 21 states had decreases for the month.

During AGC’s Annual Convention, AGC chief economist Ken Simonson and Reed Construction Data’s U.S. chief economist Bernard Markstein, held an economic luncheon.  During the event, both economists provided a relatively upbeat assessment of the economic outlook for the construction industry.

AGC today announced the new officers who have been selected to lead the nation’s largest construction trade association.  Joseph Jarboe, senior vice president of Bethesda, M.D.-based Clark Construction Group, will serve as president; Paul Diederich, president of West Fargo, N.D.-based Industrial Builders, Inc., will serve as senior vice president; Alan Landes, president and COO of St. Joseph, Mo.-based Herzog Contracting Corp. will serve as vice president; and David Hanson, senior vice president of Detroit-based Walbridge, will serve as treasurer.“Our economy is hopefully on the rebound and exciting new technologies are changing the face of our industry,” said Jarboe, AGC’s new president. “By working together and building effective connections, we can ensure that the construction industry will help build a better future for America.”

Arlington’s Pentagon renovation project was the most significant construction projects of 2011, AGC announced today. As a result, the project’s contractor, Hensel Phelps Construction Co., was the grand award winner while 15 other firms received the association’s Alliant Build America Award in other categories.

The cost of construction materials accelerated dramatically in February after moderating for several months, according to an analysis of producer price index figures released today by AGC. As a result, construction firms will be forced to pay more for key materials even as demand for construction remains weak, AGC officials noted.

Dozens of volunteer contractors renovated the facility of a Honolulu-based charity group named HUGS that supports families with seriously ill children free-of-charge.  The renovation project was organized by the philanthropic organization AGC Charities, Inc., was the group's third annual Operation Opening Doors effort.

Bethesda-based Clark Construction Group was honored today for performing some of the construction industry’s best charitable work in 2011 for its efforts in helping communities impacted by the extensive construction work required through the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process.  As a result, the construction firm was one of 13 organizations nationwide to win the AGC in the Community Award from the charitable arm of the Associated General Contractors of America, AGC Charities, Inc.

This afternoon, the Senate passed their AGC supported, 2- year, $109 billion surface transportation reauthorization bill, the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) by a strong bipartisan vote of 74-22. Attention now is focused on the House of Representatives where Republican leaders have several options as to how they wish to proceed. The House has indicated if they do not have the votes to pass a reworked five-year bill that taking the Senate bill is an option. The House may also choose to pass a short term extension before the March 31st expiration of the current extension.  Please visit AGC's Legislative Action Center to send a letter to your Representative.