ABC: Wisconsin is Top State for Construction

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Wisconsin is the No. 1 state for construction, according to Associated Builders and Contractors’ 10th annual Merit Shop Scorecard. The scorecard, released annually since 2015, ranks all 50 states and the District of Columbia based on policies and programs that better career pathways in construction, further workforce development and strengthen fair and open competition on taxpayer-funded construction projects. Arkansas, Kentucky, West Virginia and Florida rounded out the top five states in 2024, in ranking order. Wisconsin has been a high-performing state year after year, but takes the top spot for the highest scores on fair and open competition policies prohibiting … Read more

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ABC: Construction Adds Just 10,000 Jobs in November

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The construction industry added 10,000 jobs on net in November, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On a year-over-year basis, industry employment has risen by 211,000 jobs, an increase of 2.6%. Nonresidential construction employment increased by 6,800 positions on net, with growth in 2 of the 3 subcategories. Nonresidential specialty trade added the most jobs on net, with employment in the category increasing by 7,000 positions. Heavy and civil engineering added 1,500 jobs, while nonresidential building lost 1,700 jobs last month. The construction unemployment rate rose to … Read more

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ABC: Construction Job Openings Down Nearly 40% From a Year Ago

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The construction industry had 249,000 job openings on the last day of October, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey. JOLTS defines a job opening as any unfilled position for which an employer is actively recruiting. Industry job openings decreased by 9,000 for the month and are down by 164,000 from the same time last year. “Construction industry job openings fell again in October and are down nearly 40% over the past year,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “While JOLTS data can be … Read more

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Storms Suppress Nonresidential Construction Spending in October, Says ABC

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National nonresidential construction spending decreased 0.4% in October, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published today by the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending totaled $1.228 trillion. Spending was down on a monthly basis in 11 of the 16 nonresidential subcategories. Private nonresidential spending decreased 0.3%, while public nonresidential construction spending was down 0.5% in October. “Total construction spending rose sharply in October, but that was entirely due to a sharp increase in residential activity,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “Nonresidential construction spending contracted for the month, and the declines … Read more

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ABC Announces 2025 National Chair, Executive Committee

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Associated Builders and Contractors announced that David Pugh, a partner at Bradley in Birmingham, Alabama, was elected 2025 chair of ABC National Board of Directors during its meeting at the association’s annual Leadership Institute in Scottsdale, Arizona. The members of ABC’s 2025 Executive Committee, who will take office on Jan. 1 are: Chair of the ABC board of directors: David Pugh, partner, Bradley, LLP, Birmingham, Alabama Chair-elect: Thomas “Murph” Murphy, vice president of Aggregates Division, Power & Construction Group, Scottsville, New York Secretary and South Central region vice chair: Brandon Mabile, corporate business development director, Performance Contractors Inc., Baton Rouge, Louisiana … Read more

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