AGC Reports on February Construction Employment

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Construction firms added jobs in 37 states over the past 12 months and in 30 states between January and February according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data. Association officials said the jobs gains came even as many parts of the country experienced unusually severe winter weather, include cold and snowy conditions in the Northeast and Midwest, and warm and unusually dry conditions in much of the Southwest. “Considering the mix of states adding and losing construction jobs for the month and year, it seems winter conditions had less of an impact than … Read more

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Construction Employment Expands in 195 Metro Areas, Declines in 90

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Construction employment expanded in 195 metro areas, declined in 90 and was stagnant in 54 between January 2013 and January 2014, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted, however, that despite the gains construction employment remained below peak levels in all but 21 metro areas. “It is a sign of the continued strengthening of the construction industry that nearly 60 percent of metros added construction jobs from a year earlier despite the severe winter conditions in much of the country this January,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s … Read more

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Industry Adds 15,000 Jobs in February, Reaches Highest Level Since June 2009

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Construction employers added 15,000 workers to payrolls in February despite harsh winter working conditions, raising industry employment to the highest level since June 2009, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. However, association officials noted that as the industry adds jobs many firms report they are having a hard time finding skilled workers. “The rate of construction hiring has outpaced job growth in the overall economy for the past year,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “During that time, all construction segments have added workers.”  Construction employment totaled 5,941,000 in February, … Read more

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Dodge Momentum Index Slips in February

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NEW YORK, N.Y. — The Dodge Momentum Index slipped 2.6 percent in February compared to the previous month, according to McGraw Hill Construction, a division of McGraw Hill Financial. The Momentum Index is a monthly measure of the first (or initial) report for nonresidential building projects in planning, which have been shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a full year. February's decline brought the Momentum Index to 116.5 (2000=100), down from January's revised 119.7 but still nearly 20 percent above the year-earlier (February 2013) reading of 97.4. The latest month's retreat is expected to be a brief … Read more

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Architecture Billings Index Experiences Slight Rebound

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — After consecutive months of contracting demand for design services, there was a modest uptick in the Architecture Billings Index. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate 9-12 month lead time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects reported the January ABI score was 50.4, up from a mark of 48.5 in December.   This score reflects an increase in design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index was 58.5, down a bit from the reading of 59.2 the previous … Read more

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