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Construction Spending Edges Down in September and Is Up Modestly for the First Nine Months of the Year Amid Private-Sector Growth and Public-Sector Declines

Construction spending remained in a yearlong holding pattern in September as declining public outlays offset strong growth in multifamily spending and several private nonresidential categories, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America.  Association officials said declining investments in public infrastructure are undermining the sector’s recovery and urged Congress to act on pending water resources legislation and voters to support ballot measures designed to rebuild aging infrastructure.

“There is still plenty of oomph in private demand for construction and growing support for school construction, but public infrastructure investment is crumbling just when it is needed most,” said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. “These conflicting trends have left total construction spending nearly flat for the past 15 months.”

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