Construction materials prices expanded 0.1 percent in December and are up 1.3 percent year over year, according to a Jan. 15 Producer Price Index released by the Department of Labor. Nonresidential construction materials prices also rose 0.1 percent for the month and are 1 percent higher than the same time one year ago. “Materials prices continue to be unusually well behaved, neither rising nor falling aggressively on a month-to-month basis,” said Associated Builders and Contractors Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “That said, there was some volatility in individual input segments, including natural gas prices, which were up 7.8 percent, and crude … Read more

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Gov. Mark Dayton introduced a bonding proposal that would invest $986 million in infrastructure projects statewide, creating more than 27,000 Minnesota jobs. This new jobs bill would help addresses many of the state's critical infrastructure needs, while strengthening Minnesota's economy and getting people back to work. “My proposals will put thousands of Minnesotans to work throughout our state,” said Gov. Dayton. “This bill gives priority to projects that are ready to go. Many of them have been delayed for years and are crucial to revitalizing downtown business centers, modernizing MnSCU and U of M buildings and … Read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association revealed its Top 10 Equipment Acquisition Trends for 2014. Given U.S. businesses, nonprofits and government agencies will spend in excess of $1.5 trillion in capital goods or fixed business investment (including software) this year, financing more than half of those assets, these trends impact a significant portion of the U.S. economy. Businesses will need to consider a dynamic environment of economic growth, wider credit availability and favorable interest rates in their equipment acquisition decision-making.   ELFA President and CEO William G. Sutton, CAE, said, “For a majority of U.S. businesses, equipment … Read more