AGC

The cost of goods used in construction jumped in April at the fastest year-over-year rate since 2011, with ongoing increases for a wide range of building materials, including many that are subject to proposed tariffs that could drive prices still higher and cause scarcities, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data released today. Association officials said that the new data indicates many firms are already being squeezed by higher materials prices that they are unable to pass along to their customers

Construction employment increased by 17,000 jobs in April and by 257,000 jobs over the past year while firms boosted pay to help recruit new workers, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that the increases in pay appear to be attracting more former construction workers back into the job market, but cautioned that labor conditions remain extremely tight.

Thirty-eight states and the District of Columbia added construction jobs between March 2017 and March 2018, while 29 states added construction jobs between February and March, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data released today.

Construction costs climbed again in March, with increases for a wide range of building materials, including many that are subject to proposed tariffs that could drive prices still higher and cause scarcities, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data released today. Association officials warned that tariffs on some items might lead to project delays and cancellations if supplies become unobtainable or too expensive for current budgets.

Construction employment increased by 228,000 jobs over the past year despite a weather-related dip last month, and the industry's unemployment rate fell to 7.4 percent, the lowest yet for March, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials called for revitalizing and adequately funding career and technical education and training programs to ensure that employment in the high-paying industry would continue to grow.

Construction employment increased in 257 out of 358 metro areas between February 2017 and February 2018, declined in 50 and stagnated in 51, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said that the employment gains are occurring as construction firms in many parts of the country are having a hard time finding enough qualified workers to keep pace with demand.

Association Officials Urge Federal, State and Local Officials to Work Quickly to Put Recently Enacted Funding Increases to Work to Improve Aging and Over-Burdened Infrastructure, Offset Public-Sector Spending Drops

Rosendin Electric was honored for having the nation's best construction safety and wellness plan in 2017 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 57 other companies were also selected as winners for the quality of their safety programs.

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 an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data released today. Association officials praised the latest Congressional spending bill for funding career and technical education to help young workers get into the industry

Construction costs escalated in February, driven by price increases for a wide range of building materials including steel and aluminum, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data released today. Association officials warned that newly imposed tariffs on those metals will create steeper increases that will squeeze budgets for infrastructure, school districts and commercial projects

If we're stuck in gridlock, so is our economy.  Congestion drives up the price of everything we make, buy and export.  It's a $160 billion hidden tax."  That's the key message of a new ad campaign urging Congress and the Trump administration to act now to develop and pass a robust transportation infrastructure investment package and a permanent fix for the Highway Trust Fund.

New Steel and Aluminum Tariffs are Likely to Undermine Future Job Gains in the Construction Sector as Firms Will be Forced to Pay More for Key Materials and Trade War Dampens Demand for New Construction

San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Engineering and Construction was named as the first-ever Diverse Business of the Year award winner by the Associated General Contractors of America, association officials announced today. The association also awarded Diversity and Inclusion Excellence Awards to Auston Commercial, Bjork Construction, the Massachusetts Port Authority and the San Antonio Chapter of AGC.

Construction spending increased for a fifth consecutive month in December as private residential and nonresidential investment for the year topped 2016 totals, while declining infrastructure spending dragged down public-sector outlays, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America.

Industry Employment is Most Since August 2008 As Unemployment Rate Falls Sharply; Association Officials Say New Infrastructure Measure Will Help Industry Continue to Expand and Attract New Workers

California & Nevada Have Biggest Job Gains for the Year, Iowa and Missouri Have Largest Declines;California and Montana Add the Most Jobs for the Month while New Jersey Loses the Most Jobs

Seventy-five percent of construction firms plan to expand their payrolls in 2018 as contractors are optimistic that economic conditions will remain strong as tax rates and regulatory burdens fall, according to survey results released today by the Associated General Contractors of America and Sage Construction and Real Estate. Despite the general optimism outlined in Expecting Growth to Continue: The 2018 Construction Industry Hiring and Business Outlook, many firms report they remain worried about workforce shortages and infrastructure funding

Construction employment increased by 30,000 jobs in December to the highest level since September 2008, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said that, according to an outlook the association released earlier this week, most firms expect to continue adding jobs this year amid expectations demand for construction will expand.<