A ‘tech hub’ in your city? Commerce Department launches application process for $500M in grants.

The program will focus on key technology areas such as artificial intelligence and batteries. Its first phase will designate at least 20 tech hubs.

By Ysabelle Kempe • May 17, 2023

Granite seals $58M highway job

The California-based contractor will reshape a portion of Nevada’s Pyramid Highway in Sparks. 

By Joe Bousquin • May 17, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

Labor

A roundup of articles about issues affecting the workforce.

By Construction Dive staff

Adolfson & Peterson awarded $74M Raytheon office rehab

The Minneapolis-based contractor predicts it will finish work on the Plano, Texas, project later this year.

By Matthew Thibault • May 17, 2023

Backlog rebounds from 7-month low

Boosted by a strong pipeline of infrastructure projects, contractors continue to express confidence in their six-month outlooks, despite economic headwinds.

By Sebastian Obando • May 16, 2023

Jacobs nabs $200M EV battery plant expansion

CEO Bob Pragada recently pinpointed advanced manufacturing projects as one of its target sectors for growth.

By Sebastian Obando • May 16, 2023

Suffolk taps California construction vet for growth in the West

Jim McLamb, who worked at Clark Construction in Los Angeles for more than 30 years, will serve as Suffolk’s general manager in its Northern California region.

By Joe Bousquin • May 16, 2023

Earth movers, front-end loaders and robots take over the National Mall

Heavy equipment manufacturers are displaying their machines in Washington, D.C., this week to demonstrate the $1 trillion construction industry’s economic might and shine a light on policy priorities.

By Jennifer Goodman , Matthew Thibault • May 16, 2023

Coulomb Solutions plans to build US battery pack factory

The announcement follows LG Energy Solution’s $2.3 billion LFP battery facility in Queen Creek, Arizona, and Ford’s $3.5 billion factory for the same battery type in Marshall, Michigan. 

By Sara Samora • May 15, 2023

When school is out, construction is in

As elementary and high schools plan for a surge of federally funded upgrades over the next few months, many administrators remain concerned about spending deadlines.

By Kara Arundel • May 15, 2023

Modular builder wins $2.2M Vermont school contract

KBS is working with the Department of Energy’s Advanced Building Construction initiative to improve its units’ energy efficiency.

By Sebastian Obando • May 15, 2023

Maryland HVAC contractor settles equal-pay suit for $210K

An Equal Employment Opportunity Commission lawsuit claimed Mechanical Design Systems paid a woman project manager half as much as men.

By Joe Bousquin • May 15, 2023

Hunt-Penta JV starts $600M Vegas convention center upgrade

The expansion project will continue through 2025, and will provide jobs to more than 600 tradesworkers.

By Sebastian Obando • May 12, 2023

MSG Sphere price tag increases again, up $125M

Sphere Entertainment Co. cited the overall complexity of the Las Vegas entertainment project as the primary cause of the jump.

By Sebastian Obando • May 12, 2023

Annual material prices trend lower for second straight month

Despite an overall decline in input prices, double-digit annual cost increases persist for certain critical construction commodities.

By Sebastian Obando • May 11, 2023

NYC expands Construction Fraud Task Force

The announcement came on the same day as an indictment of an accountant who allegedly defrauded the state out of millions in workers’ comp payments.

By Zachary Phillips • May 11, 2023

Business, construction leaders urge quick resolution to looming debt ‘catastrophe’

President Joe Biden and congressional leaders met this week as the threat of a default on the country’s $31.4 trillion debt grows.

By Jennifer Goodman • May 11, 2023

US hotel construction pipeline grows as developers eye cost-effective projects

According to a Lodging Econometrics report, recovery in travel demand led to first-quarter pipeline growth, though developers are seeking alternatives to new construction.

By Jenna Graber • May 11, 2023

Construction’s profit margins sink to lowest level since mid-pandemic

U.S. construction firms’ bottom lines plummeted 27% in the first quarter of this year, a trend reflected in many public contractors’ earnings reports.

By Sebastian Obando • May 10, 2023

Mercedes-Benz partners with NavVis on digital twins of factories

The collaboration will allow the automaker to simulate new site layouts and production line changes.

By Kate Magill • May 10, 2023

Office vacancy rate hits 30-year high

Unleased office rates reached 17.8% in Q1, as hybrid work and recession fears weighed on demand, according to CBRE.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • May 10, 2023

Jacobs’ profits more than double due to IIJA, water projects

The firm announced plans to spin off its Critical Missions Solutions business, which accounted for 35% of its revenue last year. 

By Sebastian Obando • May 9, 2023

Bank failures put squeeze on construction loans

The lending environment, which has grown more treacherous over recent weeks, could dampen new multifamily starts by as much as 60%, according to one executive.

By Leslie Shaver • May 9, 2023

Black & Veatch acquires Texas electrical contractor

Bird Electric will join the engineering firm’s portfolio and expand its capabilities in fields like electric vehicles and renewables.

By Matthew Thibault • May 9, 2023

DeSantis inks Florida E-Verify law for private employers

In anticipation of the new requirement, some construction workers have stopped showing up to their jobs for fear of being deported, CBS Miami reported.

By Zachary Phillips • Updated May 11, 2023

UPS plans to open 7 healthcare logistics facilities in 2023

Services for healthcare shippers have been a bright spot for the delivery giant amid an overall decline in demand.

By Max Garland • May 8, 2023