Construction employment expanded in 257 metro areas, declined in 43 and was stagnant in 39 between December 2013 and December 2014, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the construction industry should continue to expand in 2015, noting that 80 percent of contractors report plans to add new employees this year. “While weather patterns certainly had an impact on construction employment during the past year, there is little doubt that the construction sector is in recovery mode in most parts of the country,” said Ken Simonson, chief … Read more

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Gilbane Building Company recently announced the findings from its in-house quarterly economics report: Building for the Future – Construction Economics: Market Conditions in Construction. Among its most notable findings, the report indicates 2014 construction spending will finish the year 5.4 percent higher than 2013, noting all sectors have contributed to growth. Further, most major nonresidential markets, including education, healthcare, commercial retail, office and manufacturing, along with residential construction will all realize much-needed spending increases in 2015. Still, favorable growth conditions in the coming year will be met with an ongoing shortage of available skilled workers, driving up … Read more