Equipment Lease Finance Industry Confidence Much Higher in January

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation has released the January 2014 Monthly Confidence Index for the Equipment Finance Industry. Designed to collect leadership data, the index reports a qualitative assessment of both the prevailing business conditions and expectations for the future as reported by key executives from the $827-billion equipment finance sector. Overall, confidence in the equipment finance market is 64.9, the highest confidence level in two years, and an increase from the December index of 55.8. An improved general outlook for economic activity among industry leadership contributed to the increase. When asked about the outlook for … Read more

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Kraus-Anderson, Elion Partners Form Joint Venture to Redevelop Woodbury Campus

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WOODBURY, Minn. — Kraus-Anderson and Elion Partners, a Florida-based national real estate investment firm, announced a new joint venture that will redevelop a 100-acre corporate campus at Interstate 94 and Radio Drive   in Woodbury, Minn. The high-profile property will be transformed into a 700,000-square-foot commercial development with shops, restaurants and additional office space, as well as plans for a hotel, bank, two medical office buildings and a day care.   The property includes 300,000 square feet of new construction plus an existing 400,000-square-foot office building. The joint venture expects the new development on the 100-acre site to include valuable … Read more

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Another Decline for Architecture Billings Index

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Following consistently increasing demand for design services throughout most of 2013, the Architecture Billings Index has posted its first consecutive months of contraction since May and June of 2012.   As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine- to twelve-month lead time between architecture billings and construction spending.   The American Institute of Architects reported the December ABI score was 48.5, down from a mark of 49.8 in November.   This score reflects a decrease in design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings).   The new projects … Read more

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Construction Employment Declines Due to Winter Weather

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Construction employment declined by 16,000 in December but the industry unemployment rate fell to 11.4 percent, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America.   Association officials noted that the new employment data was likely impacted by cold weather, but also reflects underlying weakness in the construction sector. “Given the variability of weather, especially in winter, the downturn in December is not cause for alarm,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “The data does show how uneven the recovery remains with residential construction doing very well, but the public sector remains weak … Read more

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Brasfield & Gorrie Celebrates Construction Milestone for College Football Hall of Fame

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ATLANTA, Ga. — Brasfield & Gorrie recently celebrated the topping out of the new $66.9-million College Football Hall of Fame project in Atlanta, Ga. The three-story, 96,000-square-foot attraction is designed to entertain and educate visitors, and it will serve as a venue to celebrate the traditions of college football.   “This milestone celebrates our completion of the Hall of Fame structure and acknowledges that the project is on schedule to complete in time for an August 2014 opening,” said Brasfield & Gorrie Division Manager Chris Britton.   In homage to the sport, part of the attraction's façade will resemble a … Read more

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