Economy

  • Renovation work continues on the Marriner S. Eccles Federal Reserve Board Building, the main offices of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
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    Fed’s rate cut boosts existing construction projects, more needed to spur new builds

    The central bank’s 25-basis-point cut adds to a steady easing cycle, but contractors say it’s unlikely to stimulate a surge in new nonresidential construction starts.

    By • Dec. 10, 2025
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    Inflation holds steady, bolstering case for Fed benchmark rate cut

    Most Fed watchers and futures traders expect the Federal Reserve will trim the federal funds rate by a quarter point to a range of 3.5% to 3.75% on Dec. 10.

    By Jim Tyson • Dec. 9, 2025
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    Permission granted by Associated General Contractors of America
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    Trendline

    Labor

    A roundup of articles about issues affecting the workforce.

    By Construction Dive staff
  • Workers are seen on the construction site of the Second Avenue Subway station
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    Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Tariffs drive surge in construction project stress

    As companies deplete their pre-Liberation Day stockpiles, rising construction costs are pushing owners and developers to cancel builds, according to ConstructConnect. 

    By • Dec. 8, 2025
  • Aerial rendering of the $406 million Novva Mesa data center in Mesa, Arizona
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    Courtesy of Novva
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    Construction planning falls again, but data center boom continues

    Megaprojects are boosting the building pipeline as overall momentum dipped for a second consecutive month, according to Dodge Construction Network.

    By • Dec. 5, 2025
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    Companies cut 32,000 from payrolls as Fed debates trimming main rate: ADP

    Futures traders have increased the odds that the Federal Reserve on Dec. 10 will cut borrowing costs to 89% from 83.4.% last week.

    By Jim Tyson • Dec. 5, 2025
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    Justin Sullivan/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Construction costs climb for 5th straight month

    Rising materials prices are keeping procurement unpredictable for contractors, said Macrina Wilkins, senior research analyst at Associated General Contractors of America.

    By • Dec. 1, 2025
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    With flat revenues and increasing costs, more cities are tightening their belts

    Fiscal confidence among city finance officers is plunging as COVID-era federal aid winds down, a National League of Cities survey found.

    By Ryan Kushner • Nov. 25, 2025
  • Construction continues on the Hudson Gateway Tunnel project in New York City
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    Spencer Platt/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Federal shutdown pushed construction project stress higher

    Public project abandonments surged during the government closure in October, though November’s reopening could ease some pressure.

    By • Nov. 24, 2025
  • A general view of the Google Midlothian Data Center in Midlothian, Texas.
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    Ron Jenkins/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Construction starts surge 21%, led by multibillion-dollar projects

    Megaproject construction, including data center and manufacturing work, boosted overall groundbreakings in October, according to Dodge Construction Network.

    By • Nov. 21, 2025
  • Construction crews continue to remove the East Wing of the White House
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    Andrew Leyden/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Nonresidential construction spending fell for 3rd time in 4 months

    The August U.S. Census Bureau report, delayed by the federal government shutdown, showed weakness across commercial construction categories, though data center activity held firm.

    By • Nov. 18, 2025
  • Workers build a fence as trucks unload debris and soil from the demolition of the White House's East Wing
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    Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Contractor backlog slips, strength depends on sector

    A majority of builders believe construction activity is contracting, per Associated Builders and Contractors, yet those in leading sectors have healthy books.

    By • Nov. 13, 2025
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    M&A activity ticks up across the construction industry

    Construction firms, contech providers and consultants have all made recent deals to combine forces or expand into new markets. 

    By • Nov. 13, 2025
  • Aerial view of the Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla in San Diego, California
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    Courtesy of Scripps
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    Project costs stymy construction planning

    Dodge Construction Network forecasts early-stage activity to decelerate, especially as macroeconomic risks mount.

    By • Nov. 12, 2025
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    AI, robotics push built environment tech funding to $4.4B influx

    Cash infusions to the sector saw a 66% year-over-year increase, per a Nymbl Ventures report.

    By • Nov. 12, 2025
  • Smoke billows from a coal-powered steel plant owned by U.S. Steel in western Pennsylvania.
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    Spence Platt via Getty Images
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    US Steel outlines $14B domestic investment plan with Nippon Steel

    In addition to $11 billion in U.S. facility improvements by 2028, the companies plan to drive operational efficiencies and reduce costs to bolster profitability.

    By Nathan Owens • Nov. 10, 2025
  • An exterior image of the U.S. Supreme Court on Nov. 5, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
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    Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
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    Supreme Court questions Trump’s tariff powers in landmark case

    Several justices seemed skeptical of the Trump administration's claims of broad tariff authority under a 1977 emergency powers act.

    By Antone Gonsalves • Nov. 7, 2025
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    WSP downplays M&A rumors, government shutdown

    The Montreal-based builder recorded gains across its backlog, profits and revenue year over year in Q3 while affirming its commitment to the North American market.

    By • Nov. 7, 2025
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    Contractors’ pay strategies hint at stabilizing job market

    Salary increases driven by labor shortages and inflation have begun to slow, indicating an easing labor market, according to a recent report from an accounting advisory firm.

    By • Nov. 5, 2025
  • Construction continues on the Hudson Gateway Tunnel project
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    Spencer Platt/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    October data signals boom, bust construction markets

    With federal reports on pause amid the government shutdown, private construction indicators showed steady conditions but uneven segment activity.

    By • Nov. 4, 2025
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    Sara Samora/Construction Dive
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    AI, data centers add to economic development, experts say

    The ongoing demand for data centers and artificial intelligence has created jobs for electrical components manufacturing and construction. Panelists at Nvidia GTC urge lawmakers to reform energy and trade policy to address the growth.

    By Sara Samora • Oct. 31, 2025
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    Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Fed’s latest cut strengthens construction confidence

    Wednesday’s trimming adds to a growing sense of a softer borrowing environment for construction by next year, according to a Fort Myers, Florida-based general contractor.

    By • Oct. 29, 2025
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    Courtesy of Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
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    The 9 largest commercial construction starts of September 2025

    Overall nonresidential groundbreakings ticked up during the month and posted a 5% increase year to date through September, according to Dodge Construction Network.

    By • Oct. 24, 2025
  • Construction continues on the Hudson Gateway Tunnel project
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    Spencer Platt/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Stress cools across construction, but public work slips

    Civil construction abandoned or placed on hold largely stemmed from issues with federal funding, according to ConstructConnect.

    By • Oct. 22, 2025
  • Construction continues on the ballroom extension at the White House.
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    Samuel Corum/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Data centers, infrastructure prop up construction backlog

    Public works and digital infrastructure sustained pipelines as private projects lost momentum over the past year, according to ABC’s backlog report.

    By • Oct. 15, 2025
  • Construction workers prepare the duct bank for installation.
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    Courtesy of UM Shore Regional Health
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    Data centers, healthcare keep construction planning on track

    Early-stage activity climbed again, a signal for stronger groundbreakings next year, according to Dodge Construction Network.

    By • Oct. 8, 2025