ABC Releases Latest Construction Spending Data

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National nonresidential construction spending slid 1.5% in May, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors’ analysis of data published by the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending totaled $1.267 trillion. Spending was up on a monthly basis in 11 of the 16 nonresidential subcategories. “Private nonresidential construction spending shrank for the seventh consecutive month in May and is now down 6.6% on a year-over-year basis,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “This weakness is largely due to the ongoing decline in manufacturing-related construction spending as CHIPS Act-supported projects wind down, yet overall there are few sources of … Read more

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ABC: Construction Job Openings Rise to 10-Month High in May, Hiring Remains Historically Slow

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The construction industry had 298,000 job openings on the last day of May, 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 increased by 32,000 last month and are up by 76,000 from the same time last year. “Construction job openings rose to a 10-month high in May,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “Unfortunately, that increase likely reflects exceptional demand for certain occupations critical to data center … Read more

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ABC’s Construction Backlog Surges in May, Contractor Confidence Slips

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Associated Builders and Contractors reported that its Construction Backlog Indicator rose to 9.1 months in May, according to an ABC member survey conducted May 20 to June 3. The reading is up 0.3 months from April and 0.7 months from May 2025.  View ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator and Construction Confidence Index for May. View the full Construction Backlog Indicator and Construction Confidence Index data series. Backlog for the month increased in every region except for the South. Despite the monthly movement, the South remains the region with the longest backlog and the largest year-over-year increase in backlog. ABC’s Construction Confidence Index readings for sales, profit … Read more

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ABC: Construction Materials Prices Surge 2.6% in May

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Construction input prices increased 2.6% in May compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors’ analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Producer Price Index data. Overall construction materials prices are 9.6% higher than one year ago, while nonresidential construction input prices are 9.7% higher. Prices increased in 2 of the 3 energy subcategories last month. Crude petroleum prices increased 11.8% and unprocessed energy materials increased 6.9%. Natural gas prices were down 18.2% in May. “Construction input prices surged again in May and are now up nearly 10% year over year,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. … Read more

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Meta, ABC Form Partnership to Launch Academy to Train and Create Jobs for Construction Craft Professionals

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Meta Platforms Inc. and Associated Builders and Contractors announced a partnership to educate and provide construction-ready career pathways for thousands of data center construction technicians kicking off in Indiana, Louisiana, Ohio and Texas as a meaningful step toward meeting the growing demand for data centers workers nationwide. America’s Workforce Academy is a $115 million investment in the next generation of construction professionals that includes a five-week training program and a job offer from contractors working on Meta projects at the conclusion of the program. Once an online application process is complete, scholarships, travel, housing and stipends for living expenses are granted … Read more

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