Construction Employment Rises in 35 States, D.C. from February 2017 to February 2018

Thirty-five states and the District of Columbia added construction jobs between February 2017 and February 2018, while 38 states added construction jobs between January and February, according to a recent analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data. Association officials praised the latest Congressional spending bill for funding career and technical education to help young workers get into the industry. “The construction industry continues to add employees in most of the nation, despite a shortage of workers with construction experience,” said chief economist Ken Simonson. “But job openings are growing, as contractors encounter a shrinking pool … Read more

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New Steel, Aluminum Tariffs Cause Concern within Construction Industry

The CEO of the Associated General Contractors of America, Stephen E. Sandherr, released the following statement in reaction to President Trump’s announcement that he will impose new tariffs on imported steel and aluminum products: “These new tariffs will cause significant harm to the nation’s construction industry, put tens of thousands of high-paying construction jobs at risk, undermine the President’s proposed infrastructure initiative and potentially dampen demand for new construction projects for years to come. That is because the newly imposed tariffs will lead to increases in what construction firms are forced to pay for the many steel and aluminum products that … Read more

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Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium Best Construction Project of 2017

Atlanta, Georgia’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium was the most significant construction project of 2017, according to the Associated General Contractors of America. As a result, the project’s contractor, a joint venture of Holder-Hunt-Russell-Moody, received the association’s Construction Risk Partners Build America Grand Award, as well as the award for the best building project over $100 million. “These awards epitomize the latest and greatest projects the construction industry has to offer,” said Art Daniel, the association’s president and president of AR Daniel Construction Services in Cedar Hill, Texas. “The construction firms recognized have utilized outstanding skill, collaboration and innovation to complete some of … Read more

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Choate Superintendent Bo Webb Receives 2018 Safety Leadership Award by AGC Georgia

ATLANTA, Ga. – Associated General Contractors Georgia names Choate Superintendent Bo Webb as recipient of the 2018 Safety Leadership Award based on his outstanding commitment to jobsite safety and leadership. The AGC Safety Leadership Award is presented annually to one field supervisor who demonstrates a commitment to providing a safe work environment, building a safety culture, shows uncompromising leadership and caring for and respecting fellow workers. Having led over 1.1 million square feet of projects with Choate alone, Webb consistently upholds an excellent safety record. With four decades of construction experience, Webb’s extensive background in the industry allows him to … Read more

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Construction Employers Add 60K Jobs in February, 254K Over Year

Construction employment increased by 61,000 jobs in February to the highest level since June 2008 as rising pay rates enabled the industry to attract more workers, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. However, association officials cautioned that the Trump administration’s newly imposed steel and aluminum tariffs have the potential to undermine future employment growth for the sector. “Construction industry employment has accelerated over the past four months, and industry pay rates are now more than 10 percent higher than the private-sector average,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “However, steep … Read more

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