Nonresidential Construction Spending Continues Decline Amid Supply Chain, Labor Challenges

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Overall construction spending declined in May compared to the prior month, driven by continued drops in nonresidential construction activity as firms struggle with supply chain disruptions, rising materials prices and labor shortages, according to an analysis of new federal construction spending data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Officials with the association called on the Biden administration to remove tariffs on key construction materials, allow unemployment supplements that are keeping people out of the workforce to expire and take steps to address supply chain backups.   “Many construction firms would likely be even busier if only they could find … Read more

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Pullback in Commercial, Institutional Planning Ends 6-Month Consecutive Gains

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Following six months of consecutive gains, the Dodge Momentum Index fell to 165.8 (2000=100) in June, down 5% from the revised May reading of 175.1. The momentum index, issued by Dodge Data & Analytics, 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 decline in June was the result of losses in both institutional planning, which fell 7%, and commercial planning, which lost 4%. . Uncertain demand for some building types (such as retail and hotels), higher material … Read more

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University of Florida Wins 34th ASCE Concrete Canoe Competition

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University of Florida won the 34th annual National Concrete Canoe Competition hosted by the American Society of Civil Engineers and the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. The Gators also won the competition in 2019 and, because the 2020 competition was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, now stand as back-to-back winners. Twenty-two universities participated in the event, which was held virtually for the first time. The University of Florida canoe – the Polligator – placed Top 3 in all three categories in the event: second in the technical proposal category, second for technical presentation and third for enhanced focus areas. “The Concrete … Read more

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Addressing Temporary Containment During Renovations

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This free webinar, held at 2 p.m. EDT on July 22, is a virtual event accessible online and over the phone. Access instructions will be provided after registration. Description The “drywall default” is crumbling. Join STARC Systems’ Bruce Bickford, VP product development, and Bill Cooper, SVP sales and service, to discover how the latest advancements in modular temporary containment are raising the bar for occupied renovations. In this session, Bickford and Cooper shed light on why contractors should revisit emerging solutions that are faster and easier to install, durable and reusable. You’ll also learn how, when done right, modular temporary … Read more

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Construction Employment Trails Pre-COVID Levels in 91 Metro Areas, Says AGC

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Construction employment declined in 91 metro areas and was stagnant in another 24 between February 2020, the last month before the pandemic, and May 2021, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government employment data. They said the high number of metro areas losing construction jobs during that time frame reflected the impacts of early pandemic shutdowns and more recent challenges procuring construction materials and finding qualified workers to hire.   “The devastating job losses of early 2020 and more recent materials and labor challenges since then have kept industry employment stagnant or lower this … Read more

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