Construction Employment Increases by 6,000 Jobs in March

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Construction employment increased by 6,000 jobs in March as a February hiring surge prompted by mild winter weather in much of the country prompted firms to hire fewer people last month, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said declining public-sector investments in construction and infrastructure could impact future construction hiring unless the administration and Congress enact a new funding measure. “Construction firms continued to add jobs over the past year at a higher rate than the overall economy,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “The small job gain … Read more

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Construction Material Costs in March Outpace Contractor Pricing

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Double-digit price increases for key construction materials pushed up construction costs in March, while the prices charged by contractors remained moderate, according to a new analysis of federal producer price data released by Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials urged policymakers to avoid adopting restrictions on international trade that would add to materials costs and potentially drive up the price of infrastructure, buildings and new homes and apartments. “Prices have jumped in recent months for diesel fuel, steel, copper, wallboard and lumber—materials essential for houses, nonresidential buildings and infrastructure projects,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Contractors generally … Read more

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PC Construction Wins AGC Highest Honor

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SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. – PC Construction has received one of the Associated General Contractors of America’s highest honors—an Alliant Build America Award in the construction management renovation category—for its work to rebuild the Waterbury State Office Complex in Waterbury, Vermont. PC Construction leaders and members of the project’s construction team accepted the award at AGC’s 98th Annual Convention. This is the third Alliant Build America Award PC Construction has received. When Tropical Storm Irene hit Vermont in late-August 2011, it caused millions of dollars in damage to roads, bridges, buildings and land. More than 3,500 homes and businesses were impacted … Read more

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Construction Employment Increases in 43 States in Last 12 Months

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Forty-three states added construction jobs between February 2016 and February 2017 while 39 states added construction jobs between January and February, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data recently released. Association officials noted that the despite the relatively widespread increase in construction employment, most states are still significantly below peak construction employment levels. “A combination of solid demand and unseasonably mild weather added to construction employment in more states than usual in February,” said Ken Simonson, chief economist for the association. “But conditions vary widely. Five states set new records for construction … Read more

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W.S. Bellows Construction Named Safest Construction Company in 2016

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W.S. Bellows Construction Corp. of Houston, Texas was named the nation’s safest construction company in 2016 by the Associated General Contractors of America. The association, which oversees the Willis Towers Watson Construction Safety Excellence Awards, an annual ranking of construction safety programs, noted that 51 other companies were selected as winners for the quality of their safety programs. “Workplace safety is essential to the success of any construction project and should not be taken for granted,” said Mark Knight, the association’s past president and president of Knight Construction Services LLC in Aberdeen, South Dakot. “Firms like this prioritize and excel … Read more

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