ABC Applauds Final Rule on Association Health Plans

WASHINGTON, June 19—Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) today released the following statement from Sam Melamed, CEO of the ABC Insurance Trust, following the U.S. Department of Labor’s release of its final rule on Association Health Plans (AHPs). Read the rest of entry »

ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator Remains Elevated in First Quarter of 2018

WASHINGTON, June 18—Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) reports that its Construction Backlog Indicator (CBI) contracted to 8.8 months during the first quarter of 2018, down 9 percent from the prior quarter. CBI is down 2 percent on a year-over-year basis. Read the rest of entry »

Construction Materials Prices Surge Again in May With Largest Monthly Increase in a Decade, Says ABC

 WASHINGTON, June 13—Prices for inputs to construction materials expanded 2.2 percent in May and are 8.8 percent higher than at the same time one year ago, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data released today. This represents the largest monthly increase in 10 years (since May 2008). Nonresidential construction input prices increased 2.3 percent for the month and 8.9 percent for the year. Read the rest of entry »

Nonresidential Construction Remains Unchanged in April, Says ABC

WASHINGTON, June 1—Nonresidential construction spending remained unchanged in April on a monthly basis, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data released today. However, year-over-year spending was up a sturdy 6.1 percent. Read the rest of entry »

Construction Adds 25,000 Jobs in May, Says ABC

WASHINGTON, June 1—The U.S. construction industry added 25,000 net new jobs in May, according to Associated Builders and Contractors’ (ABC) analysis of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This follows a 21,000 net job gain in April (revised upward from 17,000). The industry has gained 286,000 jobs on a year-over-year basis, the largest such increase since April 2016.

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April Construction Unemployment Rates Down Year Over Year in 19 States, Says ABC

WASHINGTON, June 1—Estimated April construction unemployment rates fell in 19 states on a year-over-year basis, were unchanged in four states and rose in 27 states, according to an analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data released today by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). Read the rest of entry »

$1 Billion in Additional Construction Spending Creates 6,300+ Additional Construction Jobs

Construction Spending and Employment: History and Forecast Terms and Sources Read the rest of entry »

ABC Calls for More Effective and Collaborative Construction Safety Regulations

WASHINGTON, May 23—In testimony before a subcommittee of the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce, Kwest Group President and Chairman of the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) National Safety and Health Committee Ryan Odendahl called for a collaborative effort between industry and the federal government to increase workplace safety and promote economic opportunity in the United States. Read the rest of entry »

Apprenticeships Must Be Expanded to Meet 21st Century Workforce Needs, Says ABC

WASHINGTON, May 11—According to the final report of the Task Force on Apprenticeship Expansion, apprenticeship programs offer workers a career path with paid, on-the-job training and provide employers with highly trained workers, but they are insufficient to address the growing skills gap in many industries. Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) commended the secretaries of labor, education and commerce for leading the task force comprised of representatives from industry, education and government to generate new ideas to expand the role of apprenticeships and help more individuals achieve the American Dream. The report was presented to the president in a meeting at the White House on May 10. Read the rest of entry »

Construction Material Prices Surge in April, Says ABC; Crude Petroleum Prices up 35 Percent Year Over Year

WASHINGTON, May 9—Prices for inputs to construction materials expanded 1.3 percent in April and are 6.4 percent higher than at the same time one year ago, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data released today. This represents the largest month-over-month increase in almost three years and the largest year-over-year increase since October 2011. Prices for nonresidential construction inputs increased 1.6 percent on a monthly basis, and are up 6.3 percent year over year.  Read the rest of entry »