Author: agcnews
There’s still time to showcase your company’s accomplishments! We encourage all AGC member firms in good standing who meet the competition requirements to apply online and gain the recognition your outstanding projects deserve. Don’t miss this opportunity to be honored on a national stage—apply now for the 2026 Baldwin Group Build America Award, Marvin M. Black Excellence in Partnering & Collaboration Award and the AGC in the Community Award.
The producer price index for materials and services used in nonresidential construction rose 0.2 percent in August and 2.5 percent from August 2024, driven by extreme increases in steel and aluminum prices, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data released today. Association officials noted a survey the association and NCCER recently released found rising costs were one of the key reasons for delayed, canceled, or scaled-back projects. “The huge increases in steel and aluminum tariffs appears to have enabled domestic producers to push up their selling prices,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. He…
Construction sector employment declined by 7,000 positions in August and has remained little changed since December, according to an analysis of new government data the Associated General Contractors of America released today. Association officials noted the results are consistent with a survey the association released last week that found many owners have canceled, deferred, or scaled back projects due to tariffs and labor shortages. “The latest figures show that nonresidential construction—not only homebuilding—has stalled,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “That fits with reports that owners have hit the pause button on many projects, in large part because of…
Spending on projects underway in July inched down 0.1 percent from June as declines in private nonresidential and multifamily construction offset pickups in public outlays and single-family homebuilding, according to an analysis of new government data that the Associated General Contractors of America released today. Association officials noted the results are consistent with a survey the association released last week that found many owners have canceled, deferred, or scaled back projects due to tariffs and labor shortages. “Our survey of construction firms found 16 percent of contractors reported projects had been canceled, postponed, or scaled back as owners’ demand or…
The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) has honored Hensel Phelps with a 2025 Build America Award for their exceptional work on the Nashville International Airport Terminal and International Arrivals Facility, a $446 million transformation that redefined what’s possible in construction. The project team faced a challenge unlike any other: build an airport on top of an operating airport. By creating new vertical transportation zones and carefully sequencing construction, they kept passengers moving safely while erecting a new central core and massive 800-foot spine trusses that eliminated 75 structural columns. The result is a breathtaking, modernized terminal that not only…
Just 184, or 51 percent, of the nation’s metro areas added construction jobs between July 2024 and July 2025, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government employment data. Association officials said a survey of their members to be released on Thursday shows many contractors want to hire more workers but cannot find enough applicants with adequate training or credentials. “Construction employment has stalled or retreated in many areas for a variety of reasons,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “But contractors report they would hire more people if only they could find…
The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) and NCCER will release new data next week showing the severity of construction workforce shortages across the country and the impact of enhanced immigration enforcement on the industry’s labor force. The findings will be unveiled during a virtual media briefing on Thursday, August 28, at 1:00 p.m. EDT. The new data provides a comprehensive look at the scope and causes of construction labor shortages nationwide, with detailed breakdowns by region and state. It will also examine how firms are responding to workforce challenges through technology adoption, innovative recruitment efforts, and expanded training opportunities.…
Sign Up Today to Be Ready for When the Unexpected Happens What happens if U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents show up at one of your construction job sites? Beyond legal concerns, how you communicate during and after an ICE raid can define your company’s reputation. Sign up for this one-hour webinar on August 27, where crisis communications expert Anthony Huey shares practical strategies to help contractors prepare for and manage the internal and external communications challenges of an ICE worksite enforcement action. You will learn how to develop internal communication plans, train site leaders on message delivery, handle…
Construction employment increased in 31 states and the District of Columbia in July from a year earlier, while 22 states added construction jobs between June and July, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America today. Association officials said construction employment continues to be impacted by a range of changing federal policies on trade, funding and labor. “The number of states with construction job gains continues to slip, on both a monthly and a year-over-year basis,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Owners have delayed project starts in the face…
The producer price index for materials and services used in nonresidential construction rose 0.5 percent in July and 2.6 percent from July 2024, the largest 12-month increase since February 2023, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data released today. Association officials urged the Trump administration to quickly resolve outstanding trade negotiations and ease the punitive tariff levels put in place with many U.S. trading partners. “Steep tariff increases earlier this year on aluminum and steel, along with a more recent tariff on raw copper, drove the producer price index for construction inputs higher for the…