June Construction Starts Retreat 15%

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NEW YORK, N.Y. — New construction starts in June dropped 15 percent from the previous month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $620.2 billion, according to Dodge Data & Analytics. The decline followed an especially strong May, which benefitted from a $9-billion liquefied natural gas export terminal in Texas being entered as a May start. By major sector, nonbuilding construction in June fell sharply as the result of a steep pullback by its electric utility and gas plant category, while nonresidential building witnessed a less severe loss of momentum. Residential building in June was able to post a slight … Read more

Filed under: Economic News, News

Construction Unemployment Falls to 14-Year Low

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Construction employment in July climbed to the highest level since February 2009, while the number of unemployed workers with construction experience shrank to a 14-year low, according to a recent analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials cautioned that the diminishing pool of available qualified labor may be having an impact on the industry’s ability to meet growing demand. “It is encouraging to see construction employment rising again, but the industry could hire many more workers if they were available,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “The lack of experienced construction workers may be impeding the … Read more

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Hill International to Manage Renovation of William J. Green, Jr. Federal Building

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PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — Hill International has received a task order from Region 3 of the U.S.General Services Administration to provide construction management and commissioning services during the renovation of the William J. Green, Jr. Federal Building in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The potential five-year contract has an estimated value to Hill of approximately $2.4 million. Under the initial task order, Hill will manage Phase I of a two-phase repair and alteration project for the approximately 841,000-gross-square-foot, ten-story federal office building located at 600 Arch Street. The project involves the realignment and reconfiguration of tenant space and multiple building system upgrades and replacements. … Read more

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New Construction Disappoints in Second Quarter

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ATLANTA, Ga. — U.S. construction starts came in below expectations during the second quarter, held back by disappointing business investment. Both residential and nonresidential sectors underperformed relative to forecast, according to construction data provider CMD's latest quarterly report. The forecast, which combines CMD's proprietary data with macroeconomic factors, showed total starts performing lower than expected primarily due to the sluggish U.S. economy at the beginning of the second quarter. As a result, total construction starts in 2015 are expected to grow 7.1 percent, a downgrade from the 9 percent forecast in the previous report. “Last quarter saw the wider U.S. … Read more

Filed under: Economic News, News

Construction Marketing Association Offers Free Webcast

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NAPERVILLE, Ill. — A webcast from the Construction Marketing Association will evaluate social media usage and trends in the construction industry. Numerous case studies will demonstrate social media best practices and ideas for the construction industry. Results of a national survey will be presented. The free webcast for members and non-members is scheduled at 1 p.m. CDT on Tuesday, Sept. 22. Panelists include Caterpillar social media manager Brian Stokoe, and Bosch Power Tools Group Brand Manager Kevin Enke will share case studies, with a focus on content. CMA Chairman Neil Brown will share results of a national survey. Interested panelists … Read more

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