Economy: Page 2

Is Seattle's building boom over?

There are still plenty of projects in the pipeline, but construction has declined in the past six months and Seattle's crane count has fallen by 22%.

By Kim Slowey • March 07, 2018

Most contractors optimistic about commercial construction industry

A USG + U.S. Chamber of Commerce report shows prefabrication and modular construction are picking up some slack created by the labor shortage.

By Kim Slowey • March 07, 2018

January construction spending unchanged at $1.26 trillion

January's construction spending failed to meet analysts' higher estimates, but was up 3.2% from January 2017. 

By Kim Slowey • March 04, 2018

Trump signs orders for new aluminum, steel tariffs

According to a study by The Trade Partnership, construction could lose as many as 28,000 jobs in response to the tariffs.

By Kim Slowey , Mary Tyler March • March 02, 2018

Construction industry 'extremely positive' about nonresidential activity

Enthusiasm for 2018 construction activity boosted Wells Fargo's Optimism Quotient to a 20-year high.

By Kim Slowey • March 02, 2018

Dodge: January construction starts fall 2%, sign of 'decelerating expansion'

Highway and bridge construction took the worst hit, down 34% from December, while the nation still waits for the federal infrastructure plan to be solidified.

By Kim Slowey • Feb. 23, 2018

Employers tell Congress of opioid crisis struggles, but next steps remain unclear

Some businesses say they're struggling to find workers who can pass a drug test, further exacerbating the skills gap.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett , Laurie Cowin • Feb. 21, 2018

January material prices up 1.1%

Year-over-year material prices rose 4.9%, and the Associated Builders and Contractors expect prices to continue to rise through 2018.

By Kim Slowey • Feb. 15, 2018

Dodge: 2017 commercial, multifamily construction starts decline in top markets

Even with a 16% drop in commercial and multifamily starts from 2016, the New York City metro area emerged as last year's leader. Overall, starts for all construction segments were up 3%.

By Kim Slowey • Feb. 15, 2018

Dodge Momentum Index sees early 2018 dip

Dodge Data & Analytics said January's decline was a correction following an unusually strong end to 2017.

By Kim Slowey • Feb. 08, 2018

New York City's construction workforce needs more women, minorities, NYBC says

The construction industry has long struggled to recruit and maintain underrepresented demographics, particularly women and people of color.

By Kim Slowey • Feb. 07, 2018

Construction adds 36K jobs in January

Though employment figures point to industry strength in the near future, contractors should monitor inflation that could push material and labor prices up.

By Kim Slowey • Feb. 05, 2018

US construction spending hit record high for second-straight month

December's record beat analyst expectations by 0.3% and marks the fifth-consecutive month of spending gains.

By Kim Slowey • Feb. 05, 2018

92% of employers say skills shortage affects productivity, job satisfaction

A report from Hays also found that a lack of training and development is one of the biggest contributors to the problem.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Jan. 31, 2018

Office, industrial construction to rise in 2018 and 2019

According to the American Institute of Architects, nonresidential activity is expected to grow 4% both this and next year.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 30, 2018

Percentage of immigrant construction workers on the rise

The increase is largely due to a lack of U.S.-born workers returning to the construction industry following the Great Recession.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 26, 2018

'Reskilling crisis' emerging as 1.4M US jobs face technology disruption

Only 2% of workers have skills to immediately transition to new jobs, according to a World Economic Forum report.

By Naomi Eide • Jan. 24, 2018

December architecture billings strong, finish 2017's best quarter

The positive end to 2017 puts industry activity on solid ground for the coming months.

By Mary Tyler March • Jan. 24, 2018

Offsite construction to ramp up in 2018

The rise will be driven by factors including contractors' difficulty filling skilled labor positions and the need to complete projects faster and with fewer resources.

By Mary Tyler March • Jan. 17, 2018

December material prices edge down, up 5% for 2017

Material price inflation largely was kept at bay in December, but the Associated Builders and Contractors said increases are likely in 2018.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 12, 2018

CT governor shelves more than $4B in infrastructure projects

Gov. Dannel Malloy said he made the decision amid concerns surrounding the solvency of the state's Special Transportation Fund. 

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 12, 2018

Toyota, Mazda to build $1.6B AL plant

The plant, which is expected to employ 4,000 people, is part of a five-year, $10 billion Toyota investment initiative.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 11, 2018