Construction Employment Increases Amid Efforts to Pass Infrastructure Bills

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Construction employment increased in 39 states over the past 12 months, the most widespread gains since April 2012, according to a recent analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data. Association officials said action on needed infrastructure investments for water and transportation projects would help support continued employment growth for the industry. “It is encouraging that three-quarters of the states are now adding construction jobs on a year-over-year basis,” said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. “Employment increases are still intermittent in too many states, however, and nearly all states are far below their pre-recession highs.” … Read more

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Architecture Billings Index Slows Down

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Following three months of accelerating demand for design services, the Architecture Billings Index reflected a somewhat slower pace of growth in October. The ABI reflects the approximate 9-12 month lead time between architecture billings and construction spending.   The American Institute of Architects reported the October ABI score was 51.6, down from a mark of 54.3 in September.   This score reflects an increase in design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings).   The new projects inquiry index was 61.5, up from the reading of 58.6 the previous month. “There continues to be … Read more

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Extreme Makeover: Commercial Construction Industry, Post-Crisis Edition

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CHICAGO, Ill. —Many wondered if the U.S. commercial construction industry would ever recover from the darkest days of the recession, particularly in late 2009 and early 2010. Jones Lang LaSalle's 2013 Construction Outlook finds that “Extreme Makeover” couldn"t be more appropriate for the commercial construction industry comparing 2009 to present. Just a few years after the recession brought the U.S. commercial construction sector to a standstill, the annual report paints a picture of a recovering, more diversified industry with less risk and revived funding. “The construction industry has evolved significantly in the last five years,” said Todd Burns, president of … Read more

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Construction Employment Hits 50-Month High, Reports AGC

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Construction employment hit a 50-month high as employers added 11,000 jobs in October, the fifth consecutive month of sector job gains, and the industry unemployment rate fell to 9 percent, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the new employment figures indicate there was little nationwide short-term impact from the federal government shutdown and cautioned that skilled worker shortages are likely to grow as the industry continues to expand. “After some very dramatic declines and years of sluggish growth, the construction industry is slowly adding jobs,” said Ken Simonson, … Read more

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Third Quarter Nonresidential Fixed Investment in Structures Rises 12.3%

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Fixed investment in nonresidential structures and intellectual property grew 12.3 percent and 2.2 percent, respectively, in the third quarter, according to the U.S. Commerce Department's Nov. 7 report on gross domestic product. However, the growth was tempered by a 3.3 percent decline in fixed investment in nonresidential equipment. “Today's GDP release represents the last piece of information regarding U.S. output and nonresidential fixed investment that is untouched by the federal government shutdown in October and the most recent debt ceiling debate,” said Associated Builders and Contractors Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “Of course, September economic activity could have been impacted by … Read more

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