Construction employment declined in 153 out of 337 metropolitan areas between September 2010 and September 2011, increased in 145 and stayed level in 39, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that declines in publicly funded construction projects continue to offset modest improvements in private sector marker.

AGC's chief executive officer, Stephen E. Sandherr, issued the following statement today in response to the House vote (by a margin of 405 to 16) to repeal the 3 percent tax withholding measure: "An overwhelming majority of Representatives understand that the 3 percent tax withholding measure would force construction firms to provide the federal government with interest-free loans at a time when construction activity has declined by $400 billion and unemployment rates stand at over 13 percent.  Such a measure would force contractors to cut staff, purchase less equipment and raise bid levels for publicly funded projects, as a survey the association released last week found.

The new federal 3 percent tax withholding rule will force all large municipalities, all states and all federal agencies to withhold 3 percent of every payment to every contractor until contractors finalize their tax returns for the year. 

The amount contractors pay for a range of key construction materials held steady in September but climbed 8.1 percent from the year-earlier level, according to an analysis of producer price index figures released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Meanwhile, the price contractors charge for new nonresidential building construction edged up only 2 to 3 percent over 12 months, depending on building type.

Michael Gifford, Executive Director of the AGC Colorado (Building Chapter) and Tony Milo, Executive Director of the Colorado Contractor’s Association (Highway Chapter) recently received the 2011 Chair’s Award from the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation for an outstanding Economic Development effort for the Denver Metro Region.

Construction employers added 26,000 jobs between August and September as the industry’s unemployment rate dropped to 13.3 percent, according to an analysis of new federal employment data released today by AGC.  Association officials said the increase is the first significant change in construction employment levels since February and reflects growing private sector demand for nonresidential construction projects.

Emissions from diesel construction equipment will be significantly reduced at major highway projects in the most polluted areas, thanks to the Clean Construction Act of 2011 introduced today by Rep. Richard Hanna (R-N.Y.) and Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Md.). AGC and the non-profit Clean Air Task Force (CATF) signaled their strong support for the bipartisan legislation that would provide state transportation officials the authority and funding to incorporate the use of clean construction equipment on federally-funded transportation projects in PM2.5 Nonattainment and Maintenance areas.

Construction spending increased by 1.4 percent between July and August and was up 0.9 percent compared to August 2010, AGC reported today in an analysis of new Census Bureau data.  Association officials noted that despite this month’s increases, public sector activity has declined even as private sector demand has steadily increased this year.To read the full press release, click here.

Construction employment increased in 146 out of 337 metropolitan areas between August 2010 and August 2011, declined in 145 and stayed level in 46, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by AGC. Association officials noted that the local employment data remains relatively split as private sector demand increased and public sector activity declined more rapidly during the past year.

Alliant Insurance Services, Inc. will sponsor the Build America Awards program, AGC announced recently. The firm will host this year’s awards program, which will recognize the most challenging and successful construction projects of 2011, association officials noted.