WASHINGTON, D.C. — After consecutive months of contracting demand for design services, there was a modest uptick in the Architecture Billings Index. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate 9-12 month lead time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects reported the January ABI score was 50.4, up from a mark of 48.5 in December.   This score reflects an increase in design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index was 58.5, down a bit from the reading of 59.2 the previous … Read more

Construction employment jumped by the largest monthly amount in nearly seven years in January, bringing industry employment to the highest level since July 2009, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that, at the current rate of growth, it would not take long before many firms begin having difficulty finding enough skilled workers to meet demand. “Despite a second month of unusually severe weather in much of the nation, contractors more than offset the job losses that occurred in December,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “All segments … Read more