Economy

Trump light on trade, infrastructure details in State of the Union address

Though the White House spent much of 2018 attempting to steer the national conversation toward infrastructure, the topic received just two sentences with no specific appropriations mentioned.

By Emma Cosgrove • Feb. 06, 2019

Trump executive order extends Buy American policy

The directive asks federal agencies to encourage contractors on infrastructure projects to buy iron, aluminum, steel, cement and other goods domestically.

By Kim Slowey • Feb. 05, 2019

FMI: Despite market growth, contractors should still 'recession proof'

The consulting firm suggested taking precautionary measures against a potential downturn while construction businesses are still booming.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 28, 2019

NYC construction activity may have 'leveled out' in 2018

While they slid from 2017 levels, last year's permits represent the addition of 46 million square feet of floor space, according to the city's buildings department.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 24, 2019

Memphis, Tennessee, saw $1.3B of new construction permits in 2018

As is trending in many U.S. metros, residents' demand for a live-work-play environment is drawing business and keeping contractors busy.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 18, 2019

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, region sees $1.6B of construction since 2016

Linn County has seen 125 projects valued at $1 million or more, offering testament to the trend of big development booms happening in small pockets outside the country's major metros.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 17, 2019

2018 Dodge Momentum Index up 4.3%

Institutional projects led the way with an 8.5% increase year over year, buoying the overall index against slowdowns during the last six months.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 09, 2019

Despite NYC's capital, costs could constrain 2019 development

Rising interest rates, high construction costs and land prices could dampen what has been a robust construction market in New York City for the past few years. 

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 08, 2019

Shop class is back, ready to tackle the construction skills gap

Immigration enforcement has left Texas' construction industry with a lack of skilled workers, and stakeholders are calling on schools to help.

By Riia O'Donnell • Jan. 04, 2019

AGC: Contractors expect growth in 2019 amid labor supply worries

Construction firms will continue to increase wages and benefits as well as invest in training programs for their employees.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 04, 2019

String of infrastructure investments underway hints at big 2019

State and federal initiatives across North America represent some big spends and may help predict what's to come this year.

By Laurie Cowin • Jan. 03, 2019

Survey: Salaries for many construction trades on the rise

The report shows average annual salaries for 32 categories of workers, with project managers ($92,523) and project supervisors ($88,355) making the most money.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 02, 2019

State, local governments using higher revenues to increase infrastructure spending

Sales tax revenue from increased consumer spending is helping spur some new publicly funded construction projects, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 20, 2018

Construction, trades topped hiring on Monster in 2018

Job seekers in construction and trade industries held the top spot overall among hires through the jobs search engine, as well as in 27 individual states.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett and Construction Dive Editors

$50B of development in Washington, DC's pipeline

Residential represents the biggest share of the construction boom, but many hotel, office and retail projects are also underway.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 18, 2018

Confidence index holding steady, despite challenges ahead

Despite optimism, contractors are concerned about limited labor and higher material costs, found the USG and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's fourth-quarter Commercial Construction Index.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 18, 2018

DOT awards $1.5B for 91 projects across 49 states and DC

The Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) program weighed a record 851 submissions based on safety, state of repair, innovation and other criteria.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 13, 2018

Tariffs driving up infrastructure construction costs, analysis shows

President Donald Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs have increased the cost of several public works projects and could limit the scope of future initiatives, Bloomberg reports.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 11, 2018

ABC: Construction momentum should remain strong in 2019

Contractors can expect continued industry upticks through next year, but factors like rising material prices and the labor shortage could present some obstacles beyond that.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 07, 2018

Houston leads construction job growth for the year ending October 2018

Phoenix, Dallas and Orlando also topped the Associated General Contractors of America's list, which noted job increases in 78% of 358 U.S. metros.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 04, 2018

Florida tops ABC's 2018 Merit Shop Scorecard rankings

Michigan also scored high in the Associated Builders and Contractors' criteria for determining which states encourage the highest levels of construction job growth and open competition. There were losers in the report, too.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 29, 2018

Dodge: Total October construction starts up 21% to $864B

Nonresidential fared even better with a 53% surge driven by several large projects such as the Gordie Howe International Bridge.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 26, 2018

What you need to know about Amazon HQs in New York City, Virginia

Navigating the legal agreements of $5 billion in investments — and requests for helipads. 

By Samantha Ann Schwartz • Nov. 14, 2018