Construction employment declined in 285 out of 337 metropolitan areas between June 2009 and June 2010 according to a new analysis of federal employment data released Tuesday by AGC. The employment figures demonstrate how weak overall demand for construction is outpacing the benefits of the stimulus' $135 billion in construction-related investments.

Read the release here.

AGC's CEO Stephen Sandherr participated in an America Speaking Out event on July 16, hosted by Representative John Boehner (R-Ohio), America Speaking Out Job Creation Policy Director Rep. Peter Roskam (R-Ill.), and with Representative Aaron Schock (R-Ill.), and called for a one to two year moratorium on new federal regulations to give businesses "breathing room."

Rep. Boehner, the House Republican leader, later used Sandherr's suggestion in his statement following the forum:
"I think having a moratorium on new federal regulations is a great idea.  It sends a wonderful signal to the private sector that they're going to have some breathing room. I think there's probably a way to do this with an exemption for emergency regulations that may be needed for some particular agency.  But if the American people knew there was going to be a moratorium in effect for a year that the federal government wasn't going to issue thousands more regulations, it would give them some breathing room.

Sandherr also noted that private investment finances 70 percent of construction projects, and that the Bush tax cuts should remain in place to ensure available capital. He added that infrastructure investment needs to be a national priority so that free trade is not restricted by transportation delays.

Watch the event here (Sandherr's remarks begin at 26:58).

Take action now by visiting www.AmericaSpeakingOut.com and creating a profile.  Once you respond to the confirmation email, login and click on American Prosperity. Under Topics, choose Infrastructure, and vote for the best ideas to support construction. Don't forget to vote against the worst ideas.

For more information, contact Brian Turmail at (703) 837-5310 or turmailb@agc.org.

Construction employment edged closer to stabilizing in June, as half the states either added construction jobs or kept the same number as in May, AGC reported in an analysis of federal employment data released Tuesday.

Compared to June 2009, construction employment rose in six states, the largest number of states to post year-over-year increases since October 2008.

Read AGC's press release here. The news was covered by the a Tucson's KOLD news station, as well as Associated Press, Arizona Daily Star and Minn Post, among others.

Integrated Project Delivery for Public and Private Owners explores the varying degrees of collaboration found in IPD, defining it as a philosophy and as a delivery method.  The publication explores why owners should consider adopting IPD principles, how IPD fits in to related industry trends, such as BIM and Lean, and offers suggestions on how to integrate IPD principles into construction projects.

Read more here.

CNBC's fourth annual study of America's top states for business measures ten categories, including transportation and infrastructure, as well as education, workforce and quality of life.

Read the article here.

The Indianapolis Star spoke with Kelli Seybold (F.A. Wilhelm Construction Co.), one of two female crane operators in Indiana.  She explains what it's like to work in a position typically occupied by men, and why the work appeals to her.

Read the article here.

By Terry D. Bennett, LS LPF MRICS LEED® AP, Autodesk

Today's civil engineers and general contractors face tight timelines and even tighter budgets, especially in the current challenging economy. To finish highway, utility, and site construction projects on time, within budget, and up to specification, they need to work accurately, efficiently, and, all too often, around the clock.

Fortunately, by combining the strengths of the building information modeling (BIM) process in both design and construction phases, and coupling that with better project delivery options, engineers and contractors can automate much of the design to construction workflow, dramatically improving productivity and accuracy, and completing heavy construction projects faster and more profitably.

(more…)

Time is running short for Congress to take action on a multi-year highway and transit reauthorization bill.  SAFETEA-LU authorization expired on September 30, 2009 and the program has been operating under short term extensions ever since. In addition, the Highway Trust Fund is depleted and infusions of general fund revenue have been needed for it to meet its obligations.

Members of Congress will be home this week for the Fourth of July recess and also in August. This is an excellent time to make them aware of the impact this lack of action by Congress is having on your state's highway construction program. (more…)

Seasonally adjusted construction industry employment slipped in June to the lowest total since July 1996 while the industry's unemployment rate remained at 20.1 percent, more than double the average for all workers, according to AGC's analysis of new federal figures.

"The recession may have ended a year ago for most of the economy, but for construction, job losses and business closures continue every month," said Ken Simonson, chief economist for AGC.

Read AGC's press release here. Simonson was quoted by the Associated Press.

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 AGC's analysis of new Census Bureau data.

"Stimulus has made a difference, but Congress needs to provide long-term funding for transportation and water projects to assure further economic growth," said Ken Simonson, AGC's chief economist.

Read AGC's press release here. AGC was quoted on CNN Money.