Browse by Date - 201804

CONSTRUCTION SPENDING IN FEBRUARY INCHES UP FROM JANUARY, GAINS 3 PERCENT FROM A YEAR AGO AS PRIVATE CONSTRUCTION OUTWEIGHS DROP IN PUBLIC PROJECTS

Construction spending in February inched up 0.1 percent from January and increased 3.0 percent from the February 2017 level, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that public construction dropped sharply in February and urged federal agencies to move promptly to invest recently approved funding for a variety of construction categories.

CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYMENT RISES IN 38 STATES AND D.C. FROM MARCH 2017 TO MARCH 2018 WHILE 29 STATES ADD CONSTRUCTION JOBS FOR THE MONTH

Thirty-eight states and the District of Columbia added construction jobs between March 2017 and March 2018, while 29 states added construction jobs between February and March, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data released today.  Association officials said the job gains are coming amid strong private-sector demand and new public-sector investments in school and airport construction.

CONSTRUCTION COSTS CLIMB IN MARCH AS WIDE RANGE OF INPUT COSTS JUMP; TARIFF THREATS MAY DELAY PROJECTS AND MAKE SOME UNAFFORDABLE

Construction costs climbed again in March, with increases for a wide range of building materials, including many that are subject to proposed tariffs that could drive prices still higher and cause scarcities, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data released today. Association officials warned that tariffs on some items might lead to project delays and cancellations if supplies become unobtainable or too expensive for current budgets.

CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYERS ADD 228,000 JOBS OVER THE YEAR DESPITE DIP IN MARCH; INDUSTRY UNEMPLOYMENT RATE OF 7.4 PERCENT IS LOWEST EVER FOR THE MONTH

Construction employment increased by 228,000 jobs over the past year despite a weather-related dip last month, and the industry’s unemployment rate fell to 7.4 percent, the lowest yet for March, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials called for revitalizing and adequately funding career and technical education and training programs to ensure that employment in the high-paying industry would continue to grow.

CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYMENT INCREASES IN 257 METRO AREAS BETWEEN FEBRUARY 2017 & 2018 AS CONSTRUCTION FIRMS CONTINUE TO EXPAND AMID STRONG DEMAND

Construction employment increased in 257 out of 358 metro areas between February 2017 and February 2018, declined in 50 and stagnated in 51, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said that the employment gains are occurring as construction firms in many parts of the country are having a hard time finding enough qualified workers to keep pace with demand.