Economy
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World's most expensive place to build is now San Francisco
The city's average construction costs of $416 per square foot increased 5% in 2018 to surpass New York City.
By Kim Slowey • April 11, 2019 -
Developer-builder to invest $1B in heartland opportunity zones by 2022
Decennial Group aims to direct up to $20 billion of construction to the economically challenged tax havens during the next 10 years.
By Kim Slowey • April 09, 2019 -
Total February spending up 1%, highway segment up 9.5%
The numbers exceeded expectations and represented a rebound from weak spending at the end of 2018.
By Kim Slowey • April 05, 2019 -
By the numbers: How Trump's proposed 2020 budget affects construction
The Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. DOT and more would sustain heavy cuts in the president's move to curb spending, but defense- and emergency-related pools, along with targeted infrastructure grants, would see funding upticks.
By Kathleen Brown • March 19, 2019 -
$1B of work slated in Des Moines, Iowa
The soaring value of commercial building permits in 2018 is expected to hold its momentum, driven largely by urban renovations and suburban data centers.
By Kim Slowey • March 13, 2019 -
Wells Fargo: Nonresidential construction industry growth continues
The financial services firm joins most other industry observers in predicting a strong 2019 followed by potential uncertainty.
By Kim Slowey • March 08, 2019 -
Deep DiveWill economic uncertainty leave construction tech in limbo?
Now's the time to tidy up outdated processes, experts say, so that nothing stands in the way of technology's value when the downturn rears its ugly head.
By Kathleen Brown • March 06, 2019 -
South Texas county backs $1.8B steel mill project with new reinvestment zone
State and local governments are willing to compete for projects like the Steel Dynamics mill in San Patricio County in part because they stimulate the economy during construction.
By Kim Slowey • Feb. 25, 2019 -
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 -
Deep Dive7 trends that will shape commercial construction in 2019
Automation, drone use, hyperloops and more are among the trends that will make the biggest impact on the industry this year.
By Kim Slowey , Laurie Cowin , Joe Beeton , Kathleen Brown • Jan. 07, 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 • Dec. 19, 2018 -
$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
