Despite Headwinds, Contractor Confidence Rises In First Half Of 2013

Associated Builders and Contractors’ Construction Confidence Index (CCI) shows confidence among nonresidential contractors increased slightly during the first half of 2013, despite sequestration and rising interest rates.  
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ABC Pelican Chapter President Testifies on Importance of Career and Technical Education in Construction

Washington, D.C. – In testimony today before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Pelican Chapter President Alvin Bargas discussed the importance of career and technical education (CTE) programs to the construction industry. 
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Associated Builders and Contractors to Host Forum for Industrial Project Delivery Best Practices Oct. 22-23

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) today announced it will host its first Industrial Users Summit, Oct. 22-23, at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa in San Antonio, Texas. The event will bring together industrial construction users and merit shop contractors to discuss common issues that affect the way projects are planned and delivered.
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Construction Materials Prices Remain Stable, Rise Only 0.3 Percent in August

Construction materials prices rose only 0.3 percent in August and are up 1.4 percent year over year, according to the Sept. 13 Producer Price Index release by the Department of Labor. In addition, nonresidential construction materials increased 0.5 percent for the month and are 1.2 percent higher than one year ago.
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Nonresidential Construction Employment Dips in August

While overall national construction employment remained unchanged in August, nonresidential construction lost 3,300 jobs, according to the Sept. 6 employment report by the U.S. Department of Labor. Construction industry employment has grown 3 percent, adding 168,000 jobs, since the same time last year. Nonresidential construction accounted for 42 percent of that growth—making August a deviation from what generally has been a positive nonresidential construction employment trend.
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Appeals Court Again Rules Against Biased NLRB Poster Rule

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) today is applauding U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruling to deny a request by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to review a decision to invalidate the NLRB’s August 2011 “Notification of Employee Rights” rule. Today’s decision comes on the heels of an Aug. 12 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit to deny a similar NLRB request.
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Construction Spending Rises 0.6 Percent in July

The nation’s builders were busy in July as construction spending increased 0.6 percent to $900.8 billion—the largest upswing in four years—according to the Sept. 3 report by the U.S. Commerce Department. Nonresidential construction spending also rose 0.6 percent in July, but is down 0.8 percent compared to one year ago.
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