Dodge Outlook 2021 Predicts Slow, Uneven Recovery throughout 2021

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Dodge Data & Analytics released its 2021 Dodge Construction Outlook, a mainstay in construction industry forecasting and business planning. The report predicts that total U.S. construction starts will increase 4% in 2021, to $771 billion. “The COVID-19 pandemic and recession has had a profound impact on the U.S. economy, leading to a deep drop off in construction starts in the first half of 2020,” stated Richard Branch, chief economist for Dodge Data & Analytics. “While the recovery is underway, the road to full recovery will be long and fraught with potential potholes. After losing an estimated 14% in 2020 to $738 … Read more

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Nonresidential Construction Employment Expands in October, says ABC

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The construction industry added 84,000 net new jobs in October, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. During the last six months, the industry has added 789,000 jobs, recovering 73% of the jobs lost during earlier stages of the pandemic. Nonresidential construction employment added 59,700 jobs on net in October. All three nonresidential subcategories experienced increases; the largest was registered among nonresidential specialty trade contractors, which added 27,500 positions on net. Heavy and civil engineering added 18,800 jobs while nonresidential building added 13,400. The construction unemployment rate was 6.8% … Read more

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Reconstruction Begins on Seeling Channel in Downtown San Antonio

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Reconstruction recently began on the Seeling Channel near St. Cloud Road in downtown, San Antonio, Texas. The project is an effort to reduce the floodplain near a residential area. Sundt Construction, Inc. is serving as general contractor. The $14.8-million project will include the reconstruction of a drainage channel to address the floodplain concerns. The team will also demolish and rebuild the St. Cloud bridge over the channel and install water, sewer and gas utilities. Roadway reconstruction of four streets adjacent to the project is also involved. The project is expected to be complete in the spring of 2022. Photo courtesy … Read more

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NCCER Releasing Updated Construction Curricula in 2021

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Revised versions of NCCER’s Core: Introduction to Basic Construction Skills, Concrete Construction Levels 1 – 2, Electronic Systems Technician Levels 3 – 4 and Roofing Levels 1 – 2 will be released in 2021. Written in conjunction with national subject matter expert committees, these curricula offer the standardized training and portable credentials trusted by the industry. NCCER’s updated Core: Introduction to Basic Construction Skills adds a new module highlighting the successful career pathways in construction. The revised edition features new and more rigorous performance tests, as well as a number of enhancements to the NCCERConnect online version of the curriculum. … Read more

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ABC Elects 2021 National Chair, Executive Committee

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Associated Builders and Contractors’ board of directors elected Steve Klessig, vice president of architecture and engineering, Keller Inc., to serve as the 2021 ABC national chair during a meeting at the association’s annual Leadership Institute in Scottsdale, Arizona. Stephanie Schmidt, president, Poole Anderson Construction, was elected chair-elect and Milton Graugnard, executive vice president, Cajun Industries LLC, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was elected secretary. “The ABC executive committee is committed to ABC’s value proposition to help our members develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which they work,” said Michael … Read more

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