Construction Employment Hits Five-Year High

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Construction employers added 48,000 jobs in December and 290,000 for the year, the largest annual increase since 2005, as the sector’s unemployment rate fell to 8.3 percent, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said many firms are expanding payrolls to keep pace with growing construction demand, but are having a hard time finding qualified workers to fill key positions. “Construction firms are clearly ramping up their hiring to keep up with swelling demand for construction,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Demand for workers to construct apartments, pipelines and huge industrial projects … Read more

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Dodge Momentum Index Increases in December

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NEW YORK, N.Y. — The Dodge Momentum Index rose in December, increasing 4.0 percent from a revised 123.8 in November to 128.7 in December, according to Dodge Data & Analytics. The Momentum 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. The index is at its highest reading since February 2009 and is 17 percent higher than one year ago. The increases seen in the index in 2014 are a signal that the construction recovery will continue … Read more

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Big-D Construction Employees Elected as NAWIC Officers

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The National Association of Women in Construction Salt Lake Chapter 90 has selected new officers for 2014-15, including two Big-D Construction employees. Cheryl Kay, Big-D project assistant, has been elected as the chapter's president for the second consecutive year. Jana Cochell, Big-D subcontractor manager, has been elected to the board of directors, as well as named the CAD competition chair and membership chair. Additional officers for 2014-15 include : Vice President: Paula Sorensen, Arco Electric, Inc. Secretary: Brenda Baxter, R & O Construction Treasurer: Kathy Bonnett, CCI Mechanical, Inc. Board of Directors: Karla Steele, Associated Representatives; Jennifer King, M.C. Green & … Read more

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Architectural Firm, Developer and Builder Selected for OGE Energy Corp. HQ

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Kestrel Investments and OGE Energy Corp. recently announced two firms will play major roles in the proposed design and development of a new downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma office building to house OGE's headquarters. The building will be developed and built by Clayco, Inc. and designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects. “We are thrilled to have firms of the caliber of Clayco and RAMSA leading the proposed development and design of this building,” said Rainey Williams, president of Kestrel Investments. “I"m excited to have them join our efforts to create a building that will continue the unprecedented growth in downtown Oklahoma … Read more

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Peter M. Kinsley Appointed DBIA 2015 National Board Chair

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Peter M. Kinsley has been elected to serve as the 2015 National Board Chair of The Design-Build Institute of America. Kinsley leads the Government & Public Services Group for Haskell and is a Designated Design-Build Professional. His career spans 20 years and includes the successful delivery of numerous projects across a wide variety of industries for both public and private clients using design-build and construction management at-risk. Additional membership elections to DBIA's 2015 National Board of Directors leadership include G. William Quatman, Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company, Inc., to serve as vice chair and Praful M. Kulkarni, gkkworks, to serve … Read more

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