STIMULUS, BASE REALIGNMENT, OTHER FEDERAL PROGRAMS DRIVE TOTAL CONSTRUCTION SPENDING UP 0.4 PERCENT TO $812 BILLION IN AUGUST

Private Construction Spending Continues "Devastating" Decline, Construction Association Officials Note, Urging Action on Long-Term Infrastructure Bills to Avoid Another Downturn for Hard-Hit Industry

Total construction spending edged up 0.4 percent between July and August to $812 billion, driven by increases in public construction activity including stimulus and base realignment projects, according to an analysis of new Census Bureau data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America.  Association officials cautioned, however, that private residential and nonresidential spending both continued to shrink as private-sector demand for construction remains extremely weak.

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CONSTRUCTION SPENDING SINKS TO 10-YEAR LOW IN JULY AS INVESTMENTS IN PROJECTS ARE NOW 34 PERCENT BELOW FEBRUARY 2006 PEAK

Private Sector Caution, Plus Local and State Budget Cuts, Overwhelm Benefits of Stimulus, Construction Trade Association Notes in New Analysis of Spending Data Released by Federal Officials Today

Total construction spending declined to a 10-year low of $805 billion in July, as investments in construction projects dropped 1.0 percent from a downwardly revised June total, the Associated General Contractors of America said today in an analysis of new Census Bureau data.  Association officials noted that the new figures show depressed private sector activity, and local and state budget cuts are offsetting stimulus-funded construction spending.

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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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CONSTRUCTION SPENDING STUMBLES AGAIN IN MAY; STIMULUS PROVIDES ONLY BRIGHT SPOT FOR NONRESIDENTIAL

Construction spending shrank again in May, dropping 8 percent from a year earlier, although homebuilding and stimulus-funded public works increased from year-ago levels, according to an analysis of new Census Bureau data by the Associated General Contractors of America. "Stimulus has made a difference, but Congress needs to provide long-term funding for transportation and water projects to assure further economic growth," Ken Simonson, chief economist for the construction trade association, said.

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STRONG CONSTRUCTION SPENDING REBOUND IN APRIL AS STIMULUS FUNDING & RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION DRIVE DEMAND

 2.7 Percent Increase in Spending Represents Largest Monthly Increase in 10 Years

Construction spending rebounded strongly in April, with an increase of 2.7 percent or $23 billion from March to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $869 billion according to the latest analysis of federal spending figures released today by the Associated General Contractors of America.  The association noted that the gains were primarily driven by private residential construction (up 4.4 percent) and public construction (up 2.4 percent), but that private nonresidential also increased significantly (up 1.7 percent).

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STIMULUS, OTHER PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS GIVE MONTHLY BOOST TO NATIONAL CONSTRUCTION SPENDING FIGURES IN MARCH

2.3 Percent Increase in Public Spending Outweighs 0.9 Percent Drop in Private Construction Activity to Boost Overall Construction Spending Between February and March

Increases in public-sector construction spending, driven by stimulus funds, helped boost total construction activity by almost $2 billion between February and March, according to a new analysis of federal spending figures released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. The figures show that the stimulus has gone from slowing declines in construction spending to contributing to increases, the association noted.

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CONSTRUCTION SPENDING DROPS TO 2002 LEVELS, AS PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL, NONRESIDENTIAL AND PUBLIC CONSTRUCTION ALL DECLINE

Single-family and Power Construction are Only Bright Spots, Says Industry Economist Simonson 

Construction spending tumbled in February by $11.6 billion, or 1.3 percent, to $846 billion, a low last recorded in 2002, according to an analysis of new federal figures by the Associated General Contractors of America.  Declines occurred relative to both the month before and February 2009 in most categories of private residential and nonresidential construction, as well as public construction, the association's chief economist Ken Simonson noted.

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CONSTRUCTION SPENDING FALLS TO LOWEST LEVEL IN SEVEN YEARS, DRIVEN BY NONRESIDENTIAL AND PUBLIC CONSTRUCTION DECLINES

Federal Construction Investments are Lone Bright Spot in Latest Spending Report, Yet Good News is Offset By 'Disruptive' Expiration of Federal Transportation Program

Construction spending in January fell by $5.5 billion to $884 billion, its lowest level since June 2003, according to an analysis of new federal figures by the Associated General Contractors of America.  Declining investments in private-sector non-residential construction and public construction at all levels of government drove the 0.6 percent decline, the association's chief economist Ken Simonson noted.

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ONLY 4 OUT OF 337 CITIES ADDED CONSTRUCTION JOBS IN 2009 AS CONSTRUCTION SPENDING DROPS TO LOWEST LEVEL IN 6 YEARS

New Data Shows Construction Employment Down 38 Percent in Leominster-Fitchburg, Mass., Up 13 Percent in Harrisburg, PA., As Administration Offers New Infrastructure Spending and Cuts 

 Construction employment grew in only four out of 337 metropolitan areas in 2009 as spending on construction projects dropped by $100 billion in December to a six-year low of $903 billion, according to a new analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of federal figures released today. 

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NONRESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION SPENDING DROPS TO LOWEST RATE IN 27 MONTHS AS COMMERICAL ACTIVITY AND ROAD BUILDING DECLINE

Stimulus Delays, Lack of Highway Bill Are Adding to Construction Industry Woes Caused by Declining Private-Sector Activity, Industry Economist Notes 

Spending on nonresidential construction activity tumbled 1.5 percent in October, seasonally adjusted, to the lowest annual rate since July 2007, according to a new analysis of Census Bureau data conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America.  The data showed that nonresidential construction spending slumped to $652 billion, an 11 percent decline compared to October 2008, the association added.

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