WASHINGTON, D.C. — Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) recently released its 2011 economic forecast for the U.S. commercial and industrial construction industry. “The period of rapid improvement in spending levels did not begin in 2010, and will not happen in 2011,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “ABC’s forecast of nonresidential construction spending for next year suggests that total spending will be 0.1 percent less than 2010 levels. Privately financed construction levels are projected to decline 0.2 percent while publicly financed construction levels are projected to be virtually flat. The bottom line is the nonresidential construction recession is largely over, … Read more

Chicago and Napa, California Lose Most Jobs for the Year while Hanford-Corcoran, California and Columbus, Ohio Top List of Metro Areas Adding Jobs Construction employment declined in 236 out of 337 metropolitan areas between September 2009 and September 2010 according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Meanwhile, the number of metro areas adding jobs — 56 — matched the previous month's data, indicating the sector remains weak more than a year after the official end of the recession, association officials noted. “The recession may have ended for the overall economy, … Read more

Minnesota and Hawaii Add Most Construction Jobs, While California and Rhode Island Lose the Most Construction Jobs During the Past Month; Only Ten States Added Construction Jobs During the Year Construction employment declined in 31 states between August and September, while fewer people are working in construction compared to last year in 40 states, the Associated General Contractors of America reported in an analysis of state employment data released today by the Labor Department. Construction employment is likely to continue to worsen amid uncertainty about federal spending and tax rates for next year, association officials noted. “Construction firms are caught … Read more