Construction Employment Increases Amid Efforts to Pass Infrastructure Bills

  • Posted on

Construction employment increased in 39 states over the past 12 months, the most widespread gains since April 2012, according to a recent analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data. Association officials said action on needed infrastructure investments for water and transportation projects would help support continued employment growth for the industry. “It is encouraging that three-quarters of the states are now adding construction jobs on a year-over-year basis,” said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. “Employment increases are still intermittent in too many states, however, and nearly all states are far below their pre-recession highs.” … Read more

Filed under: Economic News, NewsTagged with:

Construction Employment Hits 50-Month High, Reports AGC

  • Posted on

Construction employment hit a 50-month high as employers added 11,000 jobs in October, the fifth consecutive month of sector job gains, and the industry unemployment rate fell to 9 percent, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the new employment figures indicate there was little nationwide short-term impact from the federal government shutdown and cautioned that skilled worker shortages are likely to grow as the industry continues to expand. “After some very dramatic declines and years of sluggish growth, the construction industry is slowly adding jobs,” said Ken Simonson, … Read more

Filed under: Economic News, eNews, OrganizationsTagged with:

Strong Man Readies Tarps, Sheeting for Winter Blast

  • Posted on

POMPTON PLAINS, N.J. — What does winter hold for the U.S. construction industry? According to the editor of The Old Farmer's Almanac, winter 2014 is “shaping up to be a rough one.” The eastern coast of the United States, especially, is expected to be hit with bitter cold and heavy snowfalls, while the Midwest can look forward to “piercing cold” and the Mid-Atlantic States will see more than their fair share of snow. To prepare for the winter blast and to keep construction crews working, Strong Man Safety Products is ramping up production of their heaviest fire retardant tarps that … Read more

Filed under: NewsTagged with:

Construction Industry Adds Jobs, Spending Climbs

  • Posted on

Construction employment rose by 20,000 in September and the industry's unemployment rate fell to a six-year low of 8.5 percent, while construction spending increased for the fifth consecutive month in August, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials cautioned that the data does not address any potential impacts from the recent federal government shutdown. “Both of these reports show the industry was doing relatively well before the federal government shutdown forced many firms to hit the pause button,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “But the shutdown likely disrupted … Read more

Filed under: Economic News, eNewsTagged with:

TCA Publishing Tilt-Up Contractor Directory

  • Posted on

MT. VERNON, Iowa — The Tilt-Up Concrete Association has announced plans to publish a tilt-up contractor directory.  In an effort to identify and support contractors working in the tilt-up concrete construction industry, the TCA will be updating and gathering information to be published in a special directory issue of TILT-UP TODAY magazine. The issue will be released later this year and is slated for distribution at the 2014 World of Concrete.  “We encourage all tilt-up contractors, regardless of membership status, to participate as the goal of this effort is to be as inclusive as possible,” said Mitch Bloomquist, managing director. … Read more

Filed under: NewsTagged with: