Dive Brief:
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Nonresidential building increased sharply in September, according to McGraw Hill Construction.
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Building of public works and electric utility projects also gained in September.
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“A key factor in keeping the construction expansion going in 2014 has been the greater role now being played by nonresidential building,” according to the report, which put overall new construction starts in September at 10%.
Dive Insight:
This report, issued four days after the Census Bureau announced housing starts rose 6.3% in September, estimated residential starts declined last month. The authors noted: “Residential building is now providing a much smaller lift than in the past two years, as the sluggish performance by single-family housing has outweighed further gains by multifamily housing."