Secretary Jewell Announces Two Solar Projects Approved in California, Nevada

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — As part of President Obama's Climate Action Plan to reduce carbon pollution, create jobs and move the economy toward clean energy sources, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell announced the approval of two solar energy projects located near the Nevada-California border that are expected to supply 550 megawatts of renewable energy, enough to power about 170,000 homes, and support more than 700 jobs through construction and operations. The approvals bring to 50 the number of utility-scale renewable energy proposals and associated transmission that the Interior Department has approved since 2009, including 27 solar, 11 wind and 12 … Read more

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American Society of Concrete Contractors Names 2014 Board Members

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ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Scott Anderson, Keyston Structural Concrete, LLC, Houston, Texas has been elected first vice president of the American Society of Concrete Contractors, St. Louis, Mo., for 2014. Rocky Geans, Mishawaka, Ind.; Chris Plue, San Mateo, Calif. and Thomas Zinchiak, Woodbine, Md. were re-elected as vice presidents. Keith Wayne, Kannapolis, N.C. was re-elected as treasurer and William Bramschreiber, Glendora, Calif.; Steve Lloyd, Forest, Va. and Scott Winkler, Hamilton, Ohio were re-elected as directors.   The Decorative Concrete Council, a specialty council of the ASCC, elected Paul Schneider, Patterned Concrete of Cincinnati, Fairfield, Ohio, as council director of the … Read more

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Industry Adds 15,000 Jobs in February, Reaches Highest Level Since June 2009

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Construction employers added 15,000 workers to payrolls in February despite harsh winter working conditions, raising industry employment to the highest level since June 2009, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. However, association officials noted that as the industry adds jobs many firms report they are having a hard time finding skilled workers. “The rate of construction hiring has outpaced job growth in the overall economy for the past year,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “During that time, all construction segments have added workers.”  Construction employment totaled 5,941,000 in February, … Read more

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Dodge Momentum Index Slips in February

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NEW YORK, N.Y. — The Dodge Momentum Index slipped 2.6 percent in February compared to the previous month, according to McGraw Hill Construction, a division of McGraw Hill Financial. 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. February's decline brought the Momentum Index to 116.5 (2000=100), down from January's revised 119.7 but still nearly 20 percent above the year-earlier (February 2013) reading of 97.4. The latest month's retreat is expected to be a brief … Read more

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Construction Spending Posts Biggest Increase Since 2006

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Total construction spending in January posted the steepest year-over-year increase since 2006, with growth in public construction, as well as private residential and nonresidential spending, according to an analysis of new Census Bureau data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials warned that federal investments in highway repairs could decline rapidly this summer because of funding shortfalls, undermining the sector’s recovery. “Overall construction spending increased in January compared with both December and January 2013 despite uncommonly adverse weather conditions,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist.   “The monthly gains were limited to homebuilding and multifamily residential construction, … Read more

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