Construction Spending Inches Higher, According to AGC

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Total construction spending in February edged up from January despite adverse weather in much of the nation, as private residential and nonresidential components posted solid growth compared with early 2013, according to an analysis of new Census Bureau data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that the construction spending figures would have been stronger if not for declines in public sector construction and infrastructure investments. “Overall construction spending in the first two months of 2014 is nearly 9 percent higher than in the same period of 2013 even though public spending has continued to slip,” said … Read more

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AGC Reports on February Construction Employment

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Construction firms added jobs in 37 states over the past 12 months and in 30 states between January and February according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data. Association officials said the jobs gains came even as many parts of the country experienced unusually severe winter weather, include cold and snowy conditions in the Northeast and Midwest, and warm and unusually dry conditions in much of the Southwest. “Considering the mix of states adding and losing construction jobs for the month and year, it seems winter conditions had less of an impact than … Read more

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Construction Employment Expands in 195 Metro Areas, Declines in 90

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Construction employment expanded in 195 metro areas, declined in 90 and was stagnant in 54 between January 2013 and January 2014, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted, however, that despite the gains construction employment remained below peak levels in all but 21 metro areas. “It is a sign of the continued strengthening of the construction industry that nearly 60 percent of metros added construction jobs from a year earlier despite the severe winter conditions in much of the country this January,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s … Read more

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Architecture Billings Index Shows Slight Improvement

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WASHINGTON, D.C.   — After starting out the year on a positive note, there was another minor increase in the Architecture Billings Index last month.   As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine- to 12-month lead time between architecture billings and construction spending.   The American Institute of Architects reported the February ABI score was 50.7, up slightly from a mark of 50.4 in January.   This score reflects an increase in design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings).   The new projects inquiry index was 56.8, down from … Read more

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Industry Adds 15,000 Jobs in February, Reaches Highest Level Since June 2009

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Construction employers added 15,000 workers to payrolls in February despite harsh winter working conditions, raising industry employment to the highest level since June 2009, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. However, association officials noted that as the industry adds jobs many firms report they are having a hard time finding skilled workers. “The rate of construction hiring has outpaced job growth in the overall economy for the past year,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “During that time, all construction segments have added workers.”  Construction employment totaled 5,941,000 in February, … Read more

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