FMI Releases Nonresidential Construction Index (NRCI) for the First Quarter, 2010

The NRCI report for the first quarter is 48.4, a slightly positive move from the fourth quarter 2009 reading of 47.7. The improvement may be attributed to the panelists’ trust in a continuing upswing in the economy. While health care construction is the only construction market showing relative strength this year, most panelists predict improvements for next year, with the exception of the lodging and office markets. Fifty-two percent still expect reductions in staff for 2010, compared with the 64 percent that were downsizing this time last year; however, those cuts will be less drastic with most being less than … Read more

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Bureau of Labor Statistics Releases December Construction Employment Numbers

Mississippi tops list of Six States to Add Construction Jobs Between November and December 2009, Wyoming Had Largest Monthly Percentage Decline in Construction Employment For the first time since the start of the economic downturn, every state and the District of Columbia reported losing construction jobs over the past twelve months, according to a new analysis of state-by-state employment data released today. The analysis, conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America, found few signs of a construction industry recovery with only six states reporting construction job increases between November and December 2009. “There’s nowhere for construction workers to turn … Read more

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AIA Releases 2010 Consensus Construction Forecast

2010 shows declines;   Modest increase in spending possible by 2011 Washington, D.C. — January 6, 2010 — Despite signs that the overall U.S. economy is beginning to improve, nonresidential construction spending is expected to decrease by 13.4 percent in 2010 with a marginal increase of 1.8 percent in 2011 in inflation adjusted terms. Commercial and industrial projects will continue to see the most significant decrease in activity. Thanks, in part, to federal stimulus spending, institutional building categories will fare better over this period. These are highlights from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) semi-annual Consensus Construction Forecast, a survey … Read more

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New Construction Employment and Spending Numbers Released

Construction Employment Down 36 Percent in El Centro, Calif., Up 12 Percent in Harrisburg, Pa., As Construction Spending Drops 13.2 Percent Compared to Last Year Construction employment declined in 324 out of 337 metropolitan areas over the past year as spending on construction projects dropped by over $137 billion in November to a 6-year low of $900 billion, according to a new analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of federal figures released today. “Private nonresidential construction is in freefall, with every category except private power construction down sharply compared to a year ago,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s … Read more

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26 States Add Construction Jobs During Unusually Mild November, but only North Dakota Sees Annual Increase

Too Early to Know if Trend is Emerging As Kansas and Nebraska See Largest Increase; Vermont and Washington See Largest Decrease in Monthly Construction Employment Construction employment increased in 26 states this November during a period of warm, dry weather according to an analysis of new employment data released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The analysis conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America, however, found construction employment decreased everywhere except North Dakota over the past 12 months. “It is too early to say if the pickup reflects improving economic conditions or a short-lived break in the weather,” … Read more

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