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From monthly archives: August 2016

We are pleased to present below all posts archived in 'August 2016'. If you still can't find what you are looking for, try using the search box.

July Construction Unemployment Rate Lowest Since 2000

Friday, August 26, 2016 11:47 AM
Not seasonally adjusted (NSA) construction unemployment rates improved in 43 states and the nation on a year-over-year basis in July according to analysis released today by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). The national NSA construction unemployment rate of 4.5 percent was 1 percent lower than a year ago according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Further, the industry boasted its lowest July rate since 2000 when July’s rate was 4.4 percent rate. BLS data also showed that the industry employed 209,000 more people than in July 2015. Read the rest of entry »

Associated Builders and Contractors: 'Blacklisting' Final Rule Hurts Contractors, Employees and Taxpayers

Wednesday, August 24, 2016 11:09 AM
WASHINGTON, D.C., Aug. 24 – Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) slammed the flawed Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces final rule, commonly referred to as “blacklisting,” released today by the Federal Acquisition Regulatory (FAR) Council. The rule, which was accompanied by a guidance document from the U.S. Department of Labor and a White House amendment to Executive Order 13673, will increase costs to taxpayers, threaten the livelihood of millions of Americans who work for responsible federal contractors and cripple the federal procurement process with needless uncertainty, delays, and litigation.  Read the rest of entry »

Intelligent Machines and Wearable Tech Improve Productivity on Construction Sites, According to Construction Executive Magazine

Wednesday, August 24, 2016 9:00 AM
WASHINGTON, D.C., Aug. 18—Technology-rich equipment, tools, drones, robots and vehicles are revolutionizing how America’s commercial and industrial construction projects are built, according to the July/August issue of Construction Executive magazine. Improved safety, productivity gains and expedited schedules are driving industry-wide investment in technology acquisitions and upgrades among contractors of all sizes.

Read the rest of entry »

The Importance of Construction to State Economies: 2015 GDP Update

Wednesday, August 17, 2016 9:00 AM
Construction has always played a vital role in the nation’s economy despite some ups and downs. From 1999 through 2015, real (inflation-adjusted) construction investment (both residential and nonresidential) varied from 5.1 percent of real gross domestic product (GDP) in 2010 and 2011 to 9.4 percent of GDP in 1999. In 2014 and 2015, construction investment was 6 percent of GDP. Read the rest of entry »

Construction’s Contribution to Economy Increases in 30 States in 2015

Wednesday, August 17, 2016 9:00 AM
WASHINGTON, D.C., Aug. 17– The value added by the private construction industry as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) increased in 30 states and decreased in only six in 2015, according to a report released today by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). Nationally, construction’s direct contribution to GDP increased by 0.1 percent to 3.9 percent from 2014 to 2015. Read the rest of entry »

ABC, AIA and NAHB Economists Predict Industry Growth Through 2017

Monday, August 15, 2016 3:41 PM
WASHINGTON, D.C., Aug. 15– Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Chief Economist Anirban Basu, American Institute of Architects (AIA) Chief Economist Kermit Baker and National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Chief Economist Robert Dietz predicted continued growth for the construction industry in 2017 during a joint economic forecast today. Read the rest of entry »

Construction Input Prices Stable in July

Friday, August 12, 2016 10:53 AM
WASHINGTON, D.C., Aug. 12—Nonresidential construction input prices were unchanged in July according to an analysis of the Bureau of Labor Statistics Producer Price Index released today by Associated Builders and Contractors. Input prices for both the nonresidential construction segment and construction as a whole are 2.3 percent lower than they were a year ago. Read the rest of entry »

Nonresidential Construction Growth on Pace with Strong July Jobs Report

Friday, August 5, 2016 10:18 AM
WASHINGTON, D.C., Aug. 5—The U.S. construction industry has rebounded strongly, adding 14,000 net new jobs in July according to an analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data released today by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). This gain comes after the construction sector lost a combined 27,000 jobs from April to June. The construction industry’s unemployment rate inched lower in July, shedding a tenth of a percentage point to reach 4.5 percent, the industry’s lowest unemployment rate since October 2006. Read the rest of entry »

Nonresidential Construction Spending Down Again in June, First Annual Decline Since 2013

Monday, August 1, 2016 12:15 PM
WASHINGTON, D.C., Aug. 1—Nonresidential construction spending dipped 1 percent in June and has now contracted for three consecutive months according to analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data released today by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). Nonresidential spending, which totaled $682 billion on a seasonally adjusted, annualized rate, has fallen 1.1 percent on a year-over-year basis, marking the first time nonresidential spending has declined on an annual basis since July 2013. Read the rest of entry »

June Construction Unemployment Rates Improve in 47 States from 2015

Monday, August 1, 2016 9:00 AM
WASHINGTON, D.C., Aug.1—June not seasonally adjusted (NSA) construction unemployment rates improved in 47 states and the nation on a year-over-year basis according to analysis released today by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). The national construction unemployment rate of 4.6 percent was 1.7 percent lower than a year ago according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Further, the industry boasted its lowest June rate since 2000 when it matched this June’s 4.6 percent rate. BLS data also showed that the industry employed 229,000 more people than in June 2015. Read the rest of entry »