Economy

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    After years of stability, construction materials costs are heating up again

    Copper and electrical components posted the sharpest gains to end the year, according to consulting firm Gordian, but steel prices were more stable.

    By • Jan. 23, 2026
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    Construction project stress cools after ‘turbulent year’

    The improvement in delays, abandonments and on-hold projects caused the Project Stress Index to reach one of the lowest levels in 2025, according to ConstructConnect.

    By • Jan. 16, 2026
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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
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    Tariffs push construction input prices higher

    The latest PPI report presents “plenty of cause for concern,” according to Associated Builders and Contractors.

    By • Jan. 14, 2026
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    Data centers drive lopsided backlog gains

    The AI frenzy is mostly confined to big contractors’ pipelines, with smaller firms seeing fewer benefits from the boom.

    By • Jan. 13, 2026
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    Q&A

    Why construction M&A activity is likely to continue in 2026

    Tariffs and new tax laws have given foreign-based engineering firms incentive to establish a beachhead within the U.S. to lower costs, according to an attorney. 

    By • Jan. 12, 2026
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    Construction planning jumped 7% to close 2025 strong

    On top of the monthly gain in December, the Dodge Momentum Index finished the year 37% higher compared to 2024.

    By • Jan. 9, 2026
  • Construction workers build out a new building on Sept. 5, 2025, in San Francisco, Calif.
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    Construction job openings bounce back

    The number of available positions grew by 90,000 in November following an “extraordinarily low level” in October, according to the latest federal data.

    By • Jan. 8, 2026
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    US plans fresh China semiconductor tariffs for 2027

    The duty rate will be set at least 30 days before the implementation date and stack on top of existing levies, per a Federal Register filing.

    By Phil Neuffer • Jan. 5, 2026
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    Courtesy of Los Angeles World Airports
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    Construction starts tumbled 20.5% amid megaproject pullback

    Only two projects over $1 billion broke ground in November, according to Dodge Construction Network, but second half momentum was still robust.

    By • Dec. 23, 2025
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    Minneapolis Fed survey: Nonresidential builders face tighter pipelines, rising costs

    “Uncertainty isn’t going away quickly,” an official said, but data centers and healthcare projects are providing a lifeline.

    By Keith Loria • Dec. 18, 2025
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    Construction backlog slips as smaller contractors feel the squeeze

    Builders’ pipelines now sit at their lowest level since February 2024, according to Associated Builders and Contractors.

    By • Dec. 17, 2025
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    Construction adds 28,000 jobs in November

    Hiring gains in nonresidential construction improved as other parts of the labor market lost momentum.

    By • Dec. 16, 2025
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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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    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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    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
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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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    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
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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
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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