Construction Employment Rises in February

Construction employment rose in 30 states and the District of Columbia between February 2011 and February 2012, while 18 states lost construction jobs and two held steady—the best net positive showing for state construction employment since January 2007, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data. Twenty-nine states and D.C. added construction jobs between January and February, while 21 states had decreases for the month. “The number of states with year-over-year construction job gains keeps rising, which is very encouraging,” said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. “But the industry is still struggling […]

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Wright Express Releases Monthly Construction Fuel Consumption Index (FCI) Results

U.S. Construction Industry Fueling Down 0.6% Year-Over-Year in February; Up 1.1% vs. Previous Month SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine — Wright Express Corporation, a leading global provider of value-based business payment processing and information management solutions, in collaboration with IHS, the leading global source of information and analytics, recently released results of its Wright Express Construction Fuel Consumption Index (FCI), which indicated a decrease of 0.6% in February versus its level the previous year. The Wright Express Construction FCI measures national fuel consumption statistics for the construction industry, which provides an accurate and up-to-date indication of construction activity in the United States. […]

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Architecture Billings Index Remains Positive for Fourth Straight Month

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Led by the commercial sector, the Architecture Billings Index has remained in positive territory four months in a row. The ABI reflects the approximate nine- to 12-month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects reported the February ABI score was 51.0, following a mark of 50.9 in January. This score reflects a slight increase in demand for design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index was 63.4, up from mark of 61.2 the previous month and its highest reading since July 2007. “This […]

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Construction Materials Prices Accelerate Sharply in February

The cost of construction materials accelerated dramatically in February after moderating for several months, according to an analysis of producer price index figures released by the Associated General Contractors of America. As a result, construction firms will be forced to pay more for key materials even as demand for construction remains weak, association officials noted. “Prices for a wide range of construction inputs rose sharply in February, threatening to put contractors out of business and leave public projects underfunded unless materials can be ordered before prices jump further,” said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. “Contractors had finally begun to […]

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Latest Analysis Shows Construction Employment Increases

Construction employment rose in 28 states and the District of Columbia between January 2011 and January 2012, while 20 states lost construction jobs and two held steady—the best net positive showing for state construction employment since 2007, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data. Thirty-five states and D.C. added construction jobs between December 2011 and January, while 13 states had decreases for the month and two states had no change. “There is accumulating evidence that construction has passed its low point in a majority of states, although shrinking public construction will hold […]

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