Dodge Momentum Index Unchanged in May

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NEW YORK, N. Y. — The Dodge Momentum Index held steady at 122.3 (2000=100) in May, according to Dodge Data & Analytics. The index is a monthly measure of the first (or initial) report for nonresidential building projects in planning, which have been shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a full year. After rising over the course of 2014, the index thus far in 2015 has been basically flat, consistent with other measures highlighting sluggish economic conditions. Even with this near-term pause, the index in May was still up 6.1 percent compared to the same month a … Read more

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U.S. Construction Equipment Exports Down Says AEM Market Update

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MILWAUKEE, Wis. — Exports of U.S.-made construction equipment declined 14.9 percent for first quarter 2015 compared to first quarter 2014, with a total $3.65 billion shipped to global markets. All world regions experienced declines, and all in the double digits except Europe and Canada, with Africa the hardest hit, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, the North American-based international trade group representing the off-road equipment manufacturing industry. AEM cited U.S. Department of Commerce data it uses in global market reports for members. Exports by World RegionFirst quarter 2015 U.S. construction equipment exports by major world regions compared to first … Read more

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Construction Employment Increases During Past Year, 28 States Add Jobs Between April and May

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Construction firms added jobs in 40 states and the District of Columbia between May 2014 and May 2015 and in 28 states and D.C. between April and May, according to a recent analysis of Labor Department data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that the mix of states adding and losing construction jobs continues to vary amid fluctuations in demand. “Construction has outpaced the overall economy in adding workers nationally but the mix of states with construction job gains keeps changing,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “The top 10 states for job gains from … Read more

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Ground Broken on $835M National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility

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The joint venture team of McCarthy/Mortenson recently broke ground on the final and largest phase of the $835-million National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility. The construction team was joined by representatives from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S Department of Agriculture, the state of Kansas, Kansas State University and the community of Manhattan, Kansas. The NBAF project will contain 574,000 gross square feet, including biosafety level 2, 3 and 4 shared research space to be constructed on the 29-acre site. The facility will house advanced research, diagnostic testing and validation, countermeasure development (i.e., vaccines and anti-viral therapies) and diagnostic training … Read more

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Clark Granted $150M Design-Build Contract for New Arena

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CHICAGO, Ill. — Clark Construction, as the lead member of Prairie District3 Partners, has been awarded a $150-million Design-Build contract for the McCormick Place Event Center by the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority. The team will construct the 300,000-square-foot event center, which will be located on Chicago, Illinois" McCormick Place campus across Prairie Avenue from the new 40-story Marriott Marquis—also being built by Prairie District3 Partners under a separate contract. The event center will be wrapped in glass and other translucent materials to allow daylight to fill the interior space and provide views of the surrounding community. The structure will … Read more

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