AGC Releases July Construction Unemployment Rate, Spending

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New government data today show the uneven nature of the construction industry's recovery, as the sector added 22,000 jobs in July, but suffered a pullback in spending in June, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said that uncertainty about federal funding for a range of infrastructure and construction programs is one reason for the uneven recovery. “Construction employment and spending are both rising at a moderate year-over-year clip, but there have been some setbacks,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “While prospects for private construction remain largely favorable, inadequate public investment still … Read more

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Construction Employment Increases Between June 2013, June 2014

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Construction employment expanded in 215 metro areas, declined in 80 and was stagnant in 44 between June 2013 and June 2014, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that uncertainty about a range of federal infrastructure and construction programs could weigh on future growth for the sector. “Contractors have been expanding their work force in about two-thirds of the country for several months in a row,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Some metro areas are adding workers at a strong clip, but the gains remain … Read more

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Nonresidential Building Activity Expected in Increase in 2015

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Due to the weather-related slow start in the nonresidential building market during the first part of the year, and the prolonged weakness in the institutional sector, construction spending projections for the rest of the year have been lowered slightly. The commercial construction sector is still looking at solid spending increases throughout the remainder of 2014, paced by high levels of demand for hotels and office buildings. The American Institute of Architects" semi-annual Consensus Construction Forecast, a survey of the nation's leading construction forecasters, is projecting that spending will see a 4.9 percent increase in 2014 — down … Read more

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June Construction Jumps 6%

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NEW YORK, N.Y. — New construction starts in June advanced 6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $549.7 billion, the highest level so far in 2014, according to McGraw Hill Construction, a division of McGraw Hill Financial.   Nonresidential building strengthened after pulling back in May, with the lift coming from the start of several large manufacturing plant projects.   Modest gains in June were also reported for housing and nonbuilding construction (public works and electric utilities). During the first six months of 2014, total construction starts on an unadjusted basis were $254.1 billion, up 1 percent from … Read more

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Equipment Leasing and Finance Industry Confidence Remains Steady in July

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation releases the July 2014 Monthly Confidence Index for the Equipment Finance Industry. Designed to collect leadership data, the index reports a qualitative assessment of both the prevailing business conditions and expectations for the future as reported by key executives from the $827-billion equipment finance sector. Overall, confidence in the equipment finance market is 61.4, unchanged from the June MCI-EFI.   When asked about the outlook for the future, MCI-EFI survey respondent Adam D. Warner, president, key equipment finance and chairman of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association, said, “I don’t believe … Read more

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