Dodge Momentum Index Hits 12-Year High Led by Institutional Planning

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The Dodge Momentum Index posted an 8.6% gain in April, climbing to 162.4 (2000=100) from the revised reading of 149.5 in March. 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. April’s gain marks the fifth consecutive monthly increase, and similar to February and March, was due to a large increase in institutional buildings entering the planning stage while commercial planning eased by less than 1%. Since hitting its … Read more

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Partnership of Safety, HR + Operations Focuses on Helping People by Removing Mental Health Stigma

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McCarthy Holdings, Inc. has announced a new integrated approach to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health to better meet the needs of employees, the craft workforce and their families. Designed to create more discussion around mental health awareness, acceptance and treatment options, the initiative establishes collaborative strategies and practices across McCarthy’s safety, human resources and operations teams — all under the umbrella of the firm’s Build for Life health and wellness program. As part of the expanded outreach, McCarthy’s integrated team developed new and updated materials, resources and tools to emphasize and support mental health awareness on jobsites and in … Read more

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Data Center Launches Fatality Map Dashboard

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To continue raising awareness of construction hazards and the need for improved safety in the industry, CPWR’s Data Center has developed the Construction Fatality Map Dashboard. It builds on the Construction Fatality Maps, which were launched in 2011 to support the National Campaign to Prevent Falls in Construction. The new dashboard combines data from OSHA fatality investigations and online media sources gathered since 2011. It allows computer or mobile device users to search construction fatalities by four filters: Year, Event Type (major categories such as falls), State and Date.

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PCA Releases Spring 2021 Cement Consumption and Construction Activity Outlook

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Portland Cement Association Market Intelligence Group’s Senior Vice President and Chief Economist Ed Sullivan recently presented its annual Spring cement consumption forecast, predicting an increase in cement consumption for 2021 and 2022. “Remarkably, U.S. cement consumption recorded 2% growth during 2020. It is remarkable because COVID-19 exerted a terrible toll on the economy. Consumers bunkered down; states enacted rigid lockdowns. Real GDP declined to a rate not matched since 1946 as the economy transitioned from war time to peace time,” said Sullivan. “Nearly 9.5 million fewer jobs now exist compared to pre-COVID-19 levels. Many businesses did not survive the threat.  … Read more

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AGC Reports Construction Employment Declines in 203 Metro Areas March 2020-March 2021 Despite Homebuilding Boom, Improving Economy

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Construction employment decreased from March 2020 to March 2021 in 203, or 57%, of the nation’s metro areas, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government employment data recently released. Association officials said the industry’s broader recovery in many parts of the country is being hampered by rising materials prices, supply chain disruptions and project cancellations.   “Nearly twice as many metros have lost construction jobs as gained them in the past 12 months, even though homebuilding has recovered strongly and the overall economy is in much better shape than it was a year ago,” … Read more

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