WASHINGTON, May 2—Estimated March not seasonally adjusted construction unemployment rates fell nationally and in 49 states on a year-over-year basis, according to an analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data released today by Associated Builders and Contractors. Nebraska was the sole outlier, where construction unemployment rose from 5.1% in March 2018 to 5.3 in this latest report. The country and 31 of the states posted their lowest March construction unemployment rates on record.

WASHINGTON, April 26— The U.S. economy expanded at an annualized 3.2% rate during the first quarter of 2019, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors assessment of data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. The pace of growth exceeded expectations, as many economists predicted growth would be closer to 2.5%.

WASHINGTON, April 18—Construction industry leaders remained confident regarding nonresidential construction prospects in February 2019, according to the latest Construction Confidence Index released by Associated Builders and Contractors today.

WASHINGTON, April 17—According to the results of Associated Builders and Contractors’ 2019 Workforce Development Survey, ABC members invested $1.6 billion to educate their employees in 2018, up from $1.1 billion in 2013. The 45% increase in spending resulted in nearly twice as many course attendees—more than 980,000—receiving craft, leadership and safety education to advance their careers in commercial and industrial construction.

WASHINGTON, April 16—Associated Builders and Contractors reported today that its Construction Backlog Indicator expanded to 8.8 months in February 2019, up 0.7 months or 8.2% from January 2019, when the backlog dipped to 8.1 months.

WASHINGTON, April 15—According to Associated Builders and Contractors, the U.S. construction industry is still benefiting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which has helped small business owners grow their companies and workforce since its passage in December 2017. On Tax Day, ABC called on Congress to make the individual and pass-through small business deductions permanent—currently scheduled to sunset in 2025—and repeal the alternative minimum tax and the estate tax.

WASHINGTON, April 11—Construction input prices rose 1.7% in March on a monthly basis, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data released today. On a year-over-year basis, construction input prices are up 2.5%, and following a stretch of four consecutive months of input price decreases, March was the second straight month prices have risen in the aggregate. Inputs to nonresidential construction also increased 1.7% on a monthly basis and are up 3.2% compared to one year ago. 

WASHINGTON, April 5—The construction industry added 16,000 net new jobs in March, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics today. On a year-over-year basis, industry employment is up 246,000 jobs, representing a 3.4% increase. Nonresidential employment added 3,200 net new jobs last month, with the bulk of growth among nonresidential specialty contractors, which added 5,500 net new jobs. Heavy and civil engineering added 600 jobs, while the nonresidential building category lost 2,900 positions. 

WASHINGTON, April 1—According to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data released today, national nonresidential construction spending rose 1.2 percent in February. Seasonally adjusted nonresidential spending totaled $773.8 billion, a 4.8 percent increase over the same time last year.