WASHINGTON, D.C. — Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) reported that its Construction Backlog Indicator (CBI) for the first quarter of 2011 averaged 7.3 months, a 4 percent increase from 7.1 months during the fourth quarter of 2010, and up from 6.1 months, or an increase of 21 percent, from one year ago. CBI is a forward-looking indicator that measures the amount of construction work under contract to be completed in the future. “While the commercial and industrial construction industry is no longer in deep decline, meaningful recovery remains elusive, with CBI still below levels associated with vigorous nonresidential construction activity,” … Read more

After Years of Declines, Construction Employment Stable Since Early 2010; Declines in Public Sector Demand Likely to Drag on Employment Levels for Rest of Year, Economist Predicts The construction industry added 5,000 jobs in April while the industry's unemployment rate declined slightly to 17.8 percent, nearly twice the national average, according to an analysis of new federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the figures continue a year-long trend of little change in construction employment after years of steep declines and predicted the stagnation is unlikely to change soon. “The construction industry … Read more

Construction employment increased in 138 out of 337 metropolitan areas between March 2010 and March 2011, decreased in 153 and stayed level in 46, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. But association officials said that the industry's five-year employment slump is far from over, and could worsen as public construction winds down. “Even with more metro areas adding jobs than in any 12-month period since November 2007, the fact is most areas are far below previous construction employment peaks,” said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. “With federal … Read more