AGC Releases Latest Employment Data

Construction employment declined in 146 out of 337 metropolitan areas between October 2010 and October 2011, increased in 140 and stayed level in 51, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released recently by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted many communities continue to lose construction jobs even as a federal program to invest in highway, transit and other infrastructure construction have been stalled in Congress for years. “Declining federal investments in infrastructure projects, including highway and transit work, are making matters worse for construction employment in many communities,” said Ken Simonson, the association's chief … Read more

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SAIA Offers ANSI/A92 Manual of Responsibilities in Spanish

KANSAS CITY — The Scaffold & Access Industry Association announces the new availability of Spanish-language versions of the ANSI/SIA A92.3-2006 Manually Propelled Elevating Aerial Platforms, A92.5-2006 Boom-Supported Elevating Work Platforms and the A92.6-2006 Self-Propelled Elevating Work Platforms Manual of Responsibilities. “These translations address an immediate and growing need within the construction industry. Our intention is to continually translate our A92 manuals of responsibility, along with all the SAIA products, in a variety of languages,” said Laurie Weber, SAIA executive director. To order any of these resources, visit the SAIA online web store at http://shop.saiaonline.org/ or contact SAIA headquarters at 816-595.4860 … Read more

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Construction Spending Increases in October

Construction spending increased for the third straight month in October as private activity strengthened while public spending shrank, the Associated General Contractors of America reported in an analysis of new Census Bureau data. Association officials cautioned that further declines in public sector activity may soon swamp gains in homebuilding and private nonresidential investment. “The apparent stability in construction spending data is masking conflicting trends,” said the association's chief economist, Ken Simonson. “On one hand, private investments in construction are slowly accelerating, while public sector investments are declining at an even faster rate.” Simonson noted that total construction spending ticked up … Read more

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American Institute of Architects, Associated Builders and Contractors Announce Contract Documents Partnership Agreement

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Institute of Architects and Associated Builders and Contractors announced a marketing partnership agreement, designed to foster a greater understanding and exchange of ideas between architects and contractors in the construction community. “We see this as the beginning of a larger, long-term partnership between the AIA and ABC,” said AIA President Clark Manus, FAIA. “For more than 100 years, the AIA has been committed to promoting greater industry collaboration among architects, owners and contractors, and this partnership is a natural extension of this work. ABC's decision to partner with the AIA speaks volumes about the fair … Read more

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FMI Releases Nonresidential Construction Index for Fourth Quarter 2011

RALEIGH, N.C. —FMI (www.fminet.com), a provider of management consulting and investment banking to the engineering and construction industry, released its Nonresidential Construction Index report for the fourth quarter of 2011. The NRCI slipped from 52.4 to a barely positive 50.3 this quarter. While the stock market continues its gyrations from news surrounding the future of the Euro countries, the NRCI has managed glacial growth, chugging along just above average for the last two years, average being little to no growth. The NRCI dropping to 50.3 this quarter is less a downward trend than a continuation of moderate growth. Moderate growth … Read more

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