Credentials: why do they matter?

Credentials are a vital piece of our workforce development system and offer a path to a successful and lucrative career.

July 15, 2019

Report: 60% of US construction activity concentrated in 10 states

Of the more than 11,200 U.S. projects GlobalData tracks, California by far leads with $524.6 billion in the works, followed by Texas, New York and Florida.

By Kim Slowey • July 10, 2019

Explore the Trendline➔

Labor

A roundup of articles about issues affecting the workforce.

By Construction Dive staff

Construction spending slides in May despite predictions

Recent reports underscore the volatility of the construction business since the Great Recession — or maybe the variations in how different agencies and groups gauge the economics.

By Kim Slowey • July 2, 2019

Construction industry confidence makes a comeback in Q2 report

A new study from USG Corp. and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce found two primary drivers of contractor optimism — backlog and confidence in new business — rebounded in the second quarter of 2019.

By Kim Slowey • June 19, 2019

Analysts: Infrastructure, modularization, resiliency top industry drivers

While a recession is likely on the horizon, several segments of the construction industry will experience massive growth in the next few years, say experts from McKinsey and Dodge.

By Jennifer Goodman • June 11, 2019

Making up for the construction labor shortage with technology

Construction has had a complicated relationship with technology, but the shortage of skilled labor has forced the industry to re-evaluate.

June 5, 2019

Top construction execs reveal challenges, opportunities

Leaders at AECOM, PCL and STO Building Group discuss labor, tariffs, integrated project delivery and preparing for a potential slowdown.

By Jennifer Goodman • May 30, 2019

Facebook receives tax incentive to build fifth Altoona, Iowa, data center

The city will waive property taxes in exchange for the tech giant's $400 million investment.

By Jennifer Goodman • May 10, 2019

FAA projects massive growth in commercial drone use

The administration said the number could triple by 2023, far outpacing the consumer drone market, which it said appears to be slowing down.

By Jason Plautz • May 8, 2019

NYC region holds lead in struggling retail construction sector

While the decline of brick-and-mortar shopping caused double-digit decreases in the value of retail work underway in many metros, the city and its suburbs' work increased 4% last year, finds a new report.

By Kathleen Brown • May 6, 2019

Construction industry unemployment at record low

The case for an economic downturn over the next 18 months is fading fast, said an ABC economist, citing 103 months of continuous job creation.

By Kathleen Brown • May 6, 2019

Jacobs Engineering tops ENR's 2019 design firm rankings

The AEC powerhouse claimed the top spot for the second year running in a field where "technology now is the price of entry."

By Kathleen Brown • May 1, 2019

Construction, engineering M&As hit record in 2018: FMI

Companies are focused on growing while the economy remains strong and expanding tech capabilities as a differentiator against tough competition.

By Kathleen Brown • May 1, 2019

Steel Dynamics CEO: Quotas 'likely' to replace tariffs

A handful of quota supporters see them as a necessary evil that would stabilize the market after an initial period of shock, but opponents seem to be more vocal so far.

By Emma Cosgrove • April 29, 2019

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 9, 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 5, 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 8, 2019

Will 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 6, 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. 6, 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. 5, 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