New Year, New Drivers for Commercial Construction Industry

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By Bud LaRosa The New Year is here! Looking ahead to 2014, many constructors are feeling more optimistic than they have since 2008. As the construction industry heads further into 2014, there are certain factors that will shape and impact the industry.   We expect more construction starts in 2014 than in 2013, though unfortunately not all areas of the country will see the same growth rates.   The “shale gale” states will see rapid growth, while other states will see gradual or incremental improvement in construction. Tocci is located in Massachusetts, and in Boston specifically, the construction industry is … Read more

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Construction Industry Hiring and Business Outlook According to AGC

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Many firms plan to start hiring again and most contractors predict demand will either grow or remain stable in virtually every market segment this year according to survey results released by the Associated General Contractors of America. The survey, conducted as part of Optimism Returns: The 2014 Construction Industry Hiring and Business Outlook, provides a generally upbeat outlook for the year even as firms worry about growing worker shortages, rising costs and the impact of new regulations and federal budget cutting. “Contractors are more optimistic about 2014 than they have been in a long time,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the … Read more

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Construction Materials Prices Rise 0.1% in December

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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

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$986M Bonding Bill Invests in Minnesota Infrastructure Improvements

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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

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Mortenson Opens Texas Office

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Mortenson Construction is opening a new office in San Antonio, Texas. The new office will support the company's growing energy business, including key wind and solar projects in the state, high-voltage transmission and other operations. Mortenson plans to open its San Antonio office in the first half of 2014. The office initially will include 30-40 team members supporting several hundred field positions throughout Texas, with future employment needs anticipated to be much higher. “Texas has a strong economy and is a leader in the U.S. energy industry,” said Tom Wacker, senior vice president at Mortenson. “We have built many projects … Read more

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