AGC

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 1, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Construction spending in September climbed to a nearly three-year high at an annualized rate of $852 billion, as increased spending on houses, apartments and private nonresidential projects outweighed a continuing downturn in public construction, according to an analysis of new federal data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said they expect both the public and private trends to continue despite the disruption caused by Hurricane Sandy.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - October 31, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Construction charity organization AGC Charities, Inc. announced today that it will renovate part of the American Legion Post located on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. to make the facility more handicap accessible. Contractors will donate their time, expertise and money to make a series of improvements to the Kenneth H. Nash Post 8 building.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - October 30, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Construction employment declined in 160 out of 337 metropolitan areas between September 2011 and September 2012, increased in 125 and was stagnant in 52, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said that construction employment in many areas continued to decline as construction activity is put on hold amid uncertainty about federal tax and investment programs and declining public sector demand.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - October 19, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Construction employment declined in 28 states from September 2011 to September 2012 even as 30 states added jobs during the past month, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data. Association officials noted that the monthly gains, while welcome, were too small to offset the larger annual declines in many states.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - October 12, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Price spikes for several key construction materials in September threaten to push contractors out of business, according to an analysis of federal figures released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. The recent surge comes despite mild year-over-year changes in materials prices overall

WASHINGTON, D.C. - October 8, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Construction employers added 5,000 jobs in September while the industry's unemployment rate hit 11.9 percent, according to an analysis of new federal data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials cautioned that construction employment has been relatively flat for more than a year as growing demand for residential and some commercial projects has been offset by declining public sector construction activity.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - October 8, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Construction employment declined in 164 out of 337 metropolitan areas between August 2011 and August 2012, increased in 130 and was stagnant in 43, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said that construction employment in many areas was suffering as government and business officials delay projects in the face of federal tax and funding uncertainty.

WASHINGTON, DC - October 4, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- ASFE/The Geoprofessional Business Association (ASFE) has become the 38th member of ConsensusDocs, a unique coalition that produces best practice contracts for the design and construction industry.

WASHINGTON, DC - October 2, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- In collaboration with ConsensusDocs, iSqFt has launched a new online platform designed to make the prequalification process for contractors and subcontractors seeking new work more efficient. The new application, which will also help manage information for prequalified companies, incorporates the ConsensusDocs 721 Subcontractor Prequalification Statement.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - October 1, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Construction spending declined between July and August to an annualized rate of $837 billion, but increased compared to August 2011, according to an analysis of new federal data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that growing demand for residential, lodging and education construction in particular offset drops in public construction spending.

WASHINGTON, DC - September 28, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- New users subscribing to ConsensusDocs set record high numbers as the standard contract document coalition completed its first five years of operation. The coalition, first established in 2007, said it expects to see continued growth in sales as construction activity begins to pick back up after a years-long decline.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - September 24, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Construction employment declined in 30 states from August 2011 to August 2012 and in 26 states in the past month, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data. Association officials noted that construction employment declined in most states even as long term infrastructure programs and tax measures languish

WASHINGTON, D.C. - September 20, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- A series of changes California officials made to their off-road diesel emissions rule, after the Associated General Contractors of America discovered significant errors in the measure, will save construction employers as much as $9 billion. Association officials outlined the changes and their potential impacts during a federal hearing today on whether California can start enforcing the revised measure in 2014.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - September 17, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Associated General Contractors of America will continue to provide fall protection safety training next year thanks to a federal safety grant the association is being awarded. The association will use the $120,000 Susan Harwood Training Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to offer the fall protection safety training designed to prevent potentially fatal falls among construction workers, officials said

WASHINGTON, D.C. - September 13, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- The cost of key construction materials increased in August and year-to-year, resuming a trend that has forced contractors to pay more for materials even as competitive pressures restrain prices for finished projects, according to an analysis of federal figures released today by the Associated General Contractors of America.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - September 7, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Construction employers added 1,000 jobs in August while the industry's unemployment rate fell to 11.3 percent, according to an analysis of new federal data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. The unemployment declines come as the construction industry continues to shrink, association officials noted, adding that over 214,000 workers have left the industry since August 2011.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - September 4, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Construction spending in July maintained consistent year-over-year growth despite a pullback from the June peak, according to an analysis of new federal data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said they expect the disparity between private and public construction to persist unless Washington acts to fix infrastructure funding challenges and pass long-delayed measures.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - August 28, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Construction employment declined in 165 out of 337 metropolitan areas between July 2011 and July 2012, increased in 123 and was stagnant in 49, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said that the new data comes out as many metro areas continue to struggle with constricting public sector budgets and uneven private sector growth.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - August 17, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Construction employment declined in 31 states from July 2011 to July 2012 and in 28 states in the past month, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data. Association officials noted that construction employment decreased in the majority of states as public construction funding continues to shrink, offsetting gains in homebuilding and nonresidential construction.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - August 14, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- The cost of key construction materials dropped for the third consecutive month in July, pushing down year-over-year prices for the first time since 2009, according to an analysis of producer price index figures released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. However, association officials warned that recent spikes in diesel fuel and steel prices may drive up the cost of construction again, and they urged lawmakers to invest in needed infrastructure projects promptly while prices remain low.