RALEIGH, N.C., February 24, 2012 — FMI recently released its Nonresidential Construction Index report for the first quarter of 2012. The NRCI gained 7.8 points over last quarter to 58.1 this quarter. This positive move to start the New Year is not exactly the sign of a bull market for construction, but continuing confirmation that panelists believe that the construction activity is following the lead of the slowly improving economy. There are good signs in hiring plans for 2012, as well as construction-put-in-place predictions. However, panelists indicate that low project pricing and high competition are still driving the market place. … Read more

The construction industry added 21,000 jobs in January, as a second consecutive month of unseasonably mild-winter weather helped the industry raise employment to a two-year high, according to an analysis of new federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials cautioned that the gains remain fragile amid declining public sector investments in construction and infrastructure. “Although it's great news that the industry has added 52,000 jobs in the past two months, the unemployment rate in construction is still double that of the overall economy, and construction employment remains at 1996 levels,” said Ken Simonson, the … Read more

Construction employment increased in 148 out of 337 metropolitan areas between December 2010 and December 2011, decreased in 128 and stayed level in 61, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. The construction employment increases were likely fueled by a 4.3 percent increase in total construction spending between December 2010 and December 2011, driven largely by growing private-sector demand, association officials noted. “Many communities are benefitting from growing demand from the private sector for new construction activity,” said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. “Unfortunately, too many other areas are … Read more