Economy: Page 2

PPP runs out of funds for most lenders

The cutoff comes nearly four weeks before the Paycheck Protection Program was slated to end. 

By Dan Ennis • May 07, 2021

The 12 most expensive US cities for construction

A new analysis by project management firm Cumming details the most expensive cities in which to build and the types of projects that cost the most.

By Jennifer Goodman • April 16, 2021

Briq launches first payment, rewards card for construction

BriqCash lets contractors automate invoice processing, manage vendors and make direct payments that earn cash back and rewards.

By Jennifer Goodman • April 14, 2021

Deep Dive

Soaring material prices, supply chain delays spook owners and developers

The rising cost of many materials and increased sourcing headaches have project owners rethinking their return to normalcy and threaten to derail construction's expected resurgence.

By Joe Bousquin • April 12, 2021

Roadblocks to Recovery: The factors that could slow construction's comeback from COVID-19

Escalating labor costs, rising material prices and nervous clients could all stand in the way of construction's return to normalcy. Here Construction Dive tracks the factors that could slow the industry's return to normalcy.

Walsh indicates support for minimum wage hike, collective bargaining

In interviews last week, Labor Secretary Marty Walsh took worker-first positions on wages and the right to organize.

By Joe Bousquin • April 06, 2021

In first week, Walsh talks about unions, jobsite inspectors, COVID-19 standard

Labor Secretary Marty Walsh discussed several issues of importance to U.S. contractors in his first days on the job.

By Joe Bousquin • March 29, 2021

Construction will face a labor gap of 430K workers this year, ABC says

U.S. construction companies will need to hire at least 430,000 and as many as 1 million workers this year, according to Associated Builders and Contractors. 

By Jennifer Goodman • March 26, 2021

Senate passes bill extending PPP deadline to May 31

The bill, which extends the deadline for Paycheck Protection Program applications for another two months, awaits President Joe Biden's signature.

By Anna Hrushka • March 26, 2021

Contractors' revenue expectations rise

While construction pros are feeling more optimistic than they were a year ago, concerns over labor, material costs and steel tariffs linger, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

By Jennifer Goodman • March 23, 2021

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By Gina Lockwood, Director of Claims, Merchants Bonding Company • March 22, 2021

Lawmakers introduce plan to extend PPP deadline to May 31

Small businesses will have two additional months to submit an application for a Paycheck Protection Program loan under the bill, and the Small Business Administration will have until June 30 to close pending applications.

By Anna Hrushka • March 15, 2021

Construction employment falls nearly 7% year over year

While last month's severe weather in the South may have played a role in some job losses, economists are divided over whether the decline signals more serious problems ahead.

By Jennifer Goodman • March 08, 2021

Buttigieg says infrastructure faces a 'once-in-a-lifetime moment' as bridges, roads get C- grade

Speaking at the unveiling of the American Society of Civil Engineers' infrastructure report card yesterday, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said now is the time to fix America’s crumbling infrastructure.

By Joe Bousquin • March 04, 2021

Despite 2020 layoffs, construction's labor woes persist

As the construction industry begins to recover from the pandemic, labor is getting harder to find and more expensive, a new analysis shows.

By Jennifer Goodman • March 04, 2021

Amazon Fresh builds its 10th store

The grocer has reached the 10-store milestone in just over five months with many more locations on the way.

By Jeff Wells • March 03, 2021

Biden calls union reps 'real friends,' seeks their infrastructure input

The president yesterday met with the leaders of several construction-related unions, nominated a new head of the National Labor Relations Board and bolstered his apprenticeship initiative. 

By Joe Bousquin • Feb. 18, 2021

Construction firms nab $13.7B total in PPP loans so far this year

The industry is second in total 2021 Paycheck Protection Program amounts after the restaurant and hotel category.

By Jennifer Goodman • Feb. 16, 2021

5 creative ways malls are repurposing their spaces

With lots of square footage and plenty of parking, shopping centers are rethinking ways to give their centralized locations new life. 

By Kaarin Vembar • Feb. 16, 2021

Report: Most construction ESOPs not significantly impacted by pandemic

In a survey, 68% of construction firms with employee stock ownership plans reported their sustainability, cash flow and liquidity were not greatly affected, but 50% said 2020 profits took a hit.

By Kim Slowey • Feb. 12, 2021

Despite COVID-19 layoffs, construction union membership held steady in 2020

Newly released federal data also shows that wages for workers in unions and those covered by a union contract were greater than for nonunion workers.

By Kim Slowey • Feb. 02, 2021

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Firms denied PPP forgiveness can take tax credit, IRS says

A change Congress made in December allows the credit for some Paycheck Protection Program loan recipients.

By Robert Freedman • Jan. 29, 2021

Report: Despite COVID-19, construction costs rose in these US cities

A new analysis from Rider Levett Bucknall details how construction costs have changed across 12 markets since before the coronavirus pandemic began.

By Jennifer Goodman • Jan. 28, 2021

Biden toughens Buy American rules

The revised policies, which will apply to the administration's plans for infrastructure and energy projects, will have ramifications for construction firms that do business with the federal government.

By Jennifer Goodman • Jan. 26, 2021