Dodge Momentum Index Rises in February

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NEW YORK, N.Y. — The Dodge Momentum Index increased to 126.3 (2000=100) in February, a gain of 4.3 percent from January's 121.1, 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. The index has been exhibiting somewhat of a saw-tooth pattern as of late, up in December, down in January and now up in February. Despite the volatility that is sometimes visible in planning data, the overall trend for the … Read more

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Equipment Leasing and Finance Industry Confidence Increases Again in March

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation released the March 2015 Monthly Confidence Index for the Equipment Finance Industry. Designed to collect leadership data, the index reports a qualitative assessment of both the prevailing business conditions and expectations for the future as reported by key executives from the $903-billion equipment finance sector. Overall, confidence in the equipment finance market is 72.1, the highest level in four years, and an increase from the February index of 66.3.     When asked about the outlook for the future, MCI-EFI survey respondent Harry Kaplun, president, Frost Equipment Leasing and Finance, said, … Read more

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Construction Employment Increases in 70% of Metro Areas

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Construction employment expanded in 247 metro areas, declined in 56 and was stagnant in 55 between January 2014 and January 2015, according to a new analysis of federal employment data recently released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said they were also launching a new effort, called #DriveBetterRoads designed to get Congress and the administration to finance and pass a long-term highway and transit measure. “The picture is very positive overall, with more than two-thirds of metro areas recording increases in construction employment over the past 12 months,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “However, the … Read more

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Construction Put in Place to Grow 8% in 2015

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RALEIGH, N.C. — Total construction put in place for 2015 is predicted to grow 8 percent, according to the latest report from FMI. This supports earlier FMI predictions that CPIP will top $1 trillion in 2015, something the market has not seen since 2008. This indicates that the economy is on track for a resilient recovery. “The current growth cycle appears to be broad-based and sustainable,” says Randy Giggard, managing director of research services for FMI. “Most of the new construction activity is in the private sector. Projects dependent on government spending, especially those involving infrastructure, continue to be at … Read more

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Q&A with Craig DeBrigard, Project Superintendent at Highland Development

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Training hard, working smart pay off in the end By Chris Schmidt Craig DeBrigard, project superintendent and company safety officer with Highland Development, has overseen the builds of housing developments, schools, a TV station, chain stores, wood and steel structures and managed the general day-to-day coordination of field operations. Prior to joining the Highland Development team in 2004, DeBrigard apprenticed as a carpenter for the home improvement show “This Old House” before founding Mass Bay Builders—a high-end historical restoration company. He served in the U.S. Airforce, holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering from the University of Massachusetts and … Read more

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