Construction Employment Inches Up in July

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Construction employment inched up by 8,000 jobs to a 15-month high in July but remained far below the peak set in early 2006, according to an analysis of new federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said a grim outlook for public sector construction activity will act as a drag on expanding private sector construction. They urged lawmakers to pass adequate long-term funding for public projects, without unnecessary strings attached. The industry unemployment rate fell from 17.3 percent a year earlier to 13.6 percent in July 2011, and the number of unemployed people who … Read more

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"How Do You Topcon?" Video Contest Launched

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LIVERMORE, Calif. — “How do you Topcon?” is the theme for Topcon Positioning Systems” new video contest aimed at showing how customers put TPS instruments to work. The contest runs through Oct. 31. Participants upload a short video (maximum 120 seconds) showing how they use Topcon products and services. Any use of the company’s equipment across all business segments — construction, survey, emerging business and agriculture — will be eligible. At the close of the contest, social media users (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube) will vote on their favorite videos, based on contest rules, which will be posted on the contest page … Read more

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Construction Employment Increases in 149 Out of 337 Metro Areas between June 2010 and 2011

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Construction employment increased in 149 out of 337 metropolitan areas between June 2010 and June 2011, declined in 141 and stayed level in 47, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that the local employment data posted slightly stronger gains largely because of growing private sector demand for construction. “A lot of metro areas appear to be benefitting from growing demand from the private sector for new construction,” said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. “Declining public sector demand is clearly taking a toll on just … Read more

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AEM receives "Summit Award" for Construction Challenge student competition

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The Association of Equipment Manufacturers has received a Summit Award from the American Society of Association Executives for the AEM Construction Challenge presented by Volvo Construction Equipment. The AEM student-focused workforce initiative promotes greater awareness of construction industry careers and industry contributions to an improved standard of living. AEM was one of six organizations across the country to receive a Summit Award, with the winners chosen from nearly 100 entries received. The award is the highest recognition possible from ASAE under its new The Power of A program, which is an ongoing awareness campaign to communicate the important contributions of … Read more

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Construction Spending Edges Up in June

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Construction spending edged up 0.2 percent in June as increases in private nonresidential construction outweighed continuing declines in private residential and public construction spending, the Associated General Contractors of America reported in an analysis of new Census Bureau data. The construction trade association's chief economist, Ken Simonson, predicted further imbalances in spending, with further cuts in public spending likely to offset most or all of the gains in private investment. “Private nonresidential construction is rebounding, thanks to renewed investments in power, manufacturing, and warehousing and distribution facilities,” Simonson said. “A small rise in homebuilding also helped overall spending rise for … Read more

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