The Census Bureau's report on construction spending in June showed how uneven the industry's condition is. Total spending edged up 0.1 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $836 billion. (Seasonal adjustment takes into account variation due to normal weather or holidays. Annual rate allows ready comparison to full-year totals.) Despite the tiny gain for the month, the June total was 7.9 percent smaller than in June 2009.

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STIMULUS HELPS CONSTRUCTION SPENDING POST SMALL GAIN IN JUNE BUT PAIN CONTINUES FOR OTHER CONTRACTORS, ASSOCIATION SAYS

Total construction spending eked out a small rise in June as gains in stimulus-aided public categories offset decreases in homebuilding and private nonresidential spending, the Associated General Contractors of America said today in an analysis of new Census Bureau data. "Stimulus dollars are supporting construction jobs, but the pain is continuing for most contractors and their workers who depend on private projects or school construction," said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist.

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