Construction employment increased in 170 out of 339 metropolitan areas between April 2012 and April 2013, declined in 123 and was stagnant in 46, according to a new analysis of federal employment data recently released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that a majority of metro areas are adding construction jobs as private-sector demand accelerates in many parts of the country. “Demand for construction continues to grow in many parts of the country amid increasing private-sector investments in new residential, energy and supply chain facilities like factories, rail lines and warehouses,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s
Total construction spending registered a small gain in April but showed mixed patterns among major segments, according to a recent analysis of new Census Bureau data by the Associated General Contractors of America. “The report underscores patterns that have prevailed for several months: surging home and apartment construction, volatile private nonresidential activity and shrinking public investment,” said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. “This uneven result is leading to selected materials cost increases and localized reports of worker shortages despite continuing hard times for many contractors and workers.”Construction put in place totaled $861 billion in April, rising 0.4% since March
Michael Arledge, a journeyman electrician for Greiner Electric, Littleton, has won the Associated Builders and Contractors’ 2013 Craft Professional of the Year. The award was presented May 3 during ABC’s 21st Century Workforce Development Conference in Birmingham, Ala. Photo courtesy of ABC From left: Ed Rojeck, Tradesmen International; Greiner Electrics Michael Arledge, winner of ABCs Craft Professional of the Year Award; and 2013 ABC National Chairman Greg Hoberock. Each year ABC presents the Craft Professional of the Year award to a construction craft professional who excels in his or her field, maintains a lifelong commitment to training and upholds the
After indicating increasing demand for design services for the better part of a year, the Architecture Billings Index reversed course in April. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine- to 12-month lag between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects reported the April ABI score was 48.6, down from a mark of 51.9 in March. This score reflects a decrease in demand for design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings) and is the lowest mark since July 2012. The new projects inquiry index was 58.5, down
New construction starts in April settled back 1% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $473.0 billion, according to McGraw-Hill Construction, a division of McGraw-Hill Financial. The public-works sector retreated from its elevated pace in March, and housing experienced a slight loss of momentum. Meanwhile, nonresidential building in April showed some improvement after its lackluster performance during the previous two months. On an unadjusted basis, total construction starts in the January-April period of 2013 came in at $141.1 billion, down 5% from the same period a year ago. The 2013 year-to-date amount for total construction was pulled down by a
Construction employment declined in 32 states and the District of Columbia in April even as 29 states added jobs between April 2012 and April 2013, according to a recent analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Dept. data. Association officials noted that construction demand in a number of states appears to be slackening amid federal construction spending cuts and relatively weak private-sector demand. “The industry shows signs of recovering but employment growth continues to be uneven, with some areas seeing stronger gains even as others continue to contract,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “In addition,
The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which had declined in March, increased in April. The index now stands at 68.1 (1985=100), up from 61.9 in March. The Present Situation Index increased to 60.4 from 59.2. The Expectations Index improved to 73.3 from 63.7 last month. Consumers’ assessment of current conditions improved moderately in April. Those saying business conditions are “good” increased to 17.2% from 16.4%, while those stating business conditions are “bad” decreased to 28.1% from 29.1%.Consumers’ assessment of the labor market was mixed. Those claiming jobs are “plentiful” edged up to 9.8% from 9.5%, however those claiming jobs
The unemployment rate for construction workers fell to the lowest April level in five years as contractors added more than 150,000 employees in the past year, despite a dip in employment last month, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that, despite the monthly drop, the industry is likely to continue adding jobs for much of 2013. “It is heartening to see that both nonresidential and residential segments of the construction industry added significant numbers of workers in the last 12 months, even though gains from March to April
The Dodge Momentum Index rose 5.2% in April from 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. After hesitating last fall, the Momentum Index is strengthening once again, as the uncertainty that restrained plans for new construction now appears to be easing. Gains have been reported for the Momentum Index in each of this year’s first four months, and since
Just over two weeks after a landslide sent 165 million tons of earth down into the world’s largest open-pit copper mines located west of Salt Lake City, covering portions of the floor up to 300 ft deep, mine officials will be allowed a closer look at the damage. The Mine Safety and Health Administration recently cleared geologists and engineers from Rio Tinto’s Kennecott Utah Copper to enter the massive slide area in the Bingham Canyon mine. Photo courtesy of Kennecott An April 10 landslide sent 165 million tons of earth down into the worlds largest open-pit copper mine west of
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