Author: agcnews

Construction employment trends were evenly split between metro areas that added jobs between September 2024 and September 2025 and metros with flat or falling headcounts, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government employment data. Association officials noted that demand for industrial and data center construction remains robust, but demand in other sectors flags. “The latest data on employment by metro area shows how spotty construction activity has become,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Although a few project types, such as data centers, power, and certain infrastructure and manufacturing plants, are booming,…

Construction employment increased by 28,000 positions in November, outpacing the rate of overall nonfarm payroll growth, according to an analysis of new government data the Associated General Contractors of America released today. Association officials noted that the construction sector continues to experience acute labor shortages as the pool of lawfully authorized workers continues to shrink. “Construction employment rebounded in November and continued to grow faster than overall nonfarm payrolls,” said Macrina Wilkins, the association’s senior research analyst. “The underlying trends still point to steady demand for nonresidential construction, even as parts of the residential market remain soft.” Read more.

The deadline is quickly approaching — AGC needs your help to better understand project demand and the challenges contractors will face in 2026.Please complete the survey by December 15th. AGC of America is working to capture how construction demand, labor shortages, enhanced ICE enforcement, tariffs, and other critical factors are affecting the industry. That’s why we are asking contractors to complete the construction outlook survey linked below. TAKE SURVEY NOW Your responses will help shape our understanding of expected market conditions for the coming year and document the challenges firms faced in 2025. We are collecting responses between November 4th…

The producer price index for materials and services used in nonresidential construction rose 0.2 percent in September and 3.2 percent from September 2024, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data released today. Association officials said the latest figures underscore how cost pressures are resurfacing for contractors even as overall demand in several private-sector construction segments remains muted. “Persistent input-price pressure, even when the increases are modest, creates a stop and go rhythm in procurement and production instead of a steady flow contractors and suppliers need.” said Macrina Wilkins, the association’s senior research analyst.…

Drones have become an essential tool for many contractors; improving safety, increasing efficiency, and providing data-rich insights that help teams build smarter. Now, the FAA’s newly proposed Part 108 rule could accelerate that adoption and allow for widespread, autonomous drone operations across jobsites nationwide. Wondering what the impact to construction could be? In a new episode of AGC of America’s ConstructorCast, host Max Nelson speaks with Spencer Phillips, AGC’s in-house attorney for regulatory and litigation advocacy, and Grant Hagen, Head of Community at DroneDeploy, to unpack the FAA’s proposed Part 108 rule for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations.…

Ever wondered what it’s like to testify before Congress on behalf of AGC? Here’s your inside look. Huge thank-you to Jaime Andress and Caddell Construction for stepping up, speaking out, and advocating for the future of our industry. Want to make your voice heard? Visit advocacy.agc.org to see how you can help shape the future of construction.

Construction employment increased by 19,000 positions in September as firms raised wages to bring on board workers more rapidly than other sectors, according to an analysis of new government data the Associated General Contractors of America released today. Association officials noted that firms continue to add employees to keep pace with demand for public sector projects and data centers, even as other segments of the industry are experiencing slowing demand. “The employment data are consistent with the August spending numbers that show rising demand for public construction, including a large heavy-civil component,” said Macrina Wilkins, the association’s senior research analyst.…

When disaster strikes, the construction industry answers the call. Following devastating flooding in Asheville, North Carolina, contractors are stepping up to help rebuild homes, infrastructure, and hope. In partnership with AGC’s newly launched Disaster Assistance Matching Fund, construction professionals are coming together to support impacted communities and accelerate recovery efforts. This video features voices from contractors on the ground in North Carolina, sharing firsthand how the industry mobilizes after catastrophic flooding and why construction plays a critical role in restoring communities stronger than before. From emergency response to long-term resilience, contractors are uniquely equipped to help communities recover and rebuild.…

AGC of America wants to better understand how construction demand, labor shortages, enhanced ICE enforcement, tariffs, and other factors are impacting the construction industry. To gather these insights, we’re asking contractors to complete our Construction Industry Hiring and Business Outlook Survey. The results will help identify expected market conditions for the coming year and shed light on the challenges contractors faced in 2025. TAKE THE SURVEY NOW

Save Oct. 21-23, 2026, for next year’s conference AGC’s 2025 Construction Workforce & HR Conference, held October 14-16 in Fort Worth, TX, brought together HR, training, and workforce development professionals from across the commercial construction industry for three days of insight, innovation, and inspiration. This year’s conference tackled the most pressing workforce challenges facing construction firms today, from navigating immigration enforcement to leveraging artificial intelligence in HR practices. Attendees gained practical strategies and fresh perspectives to help their organizations attract, retain, and develop top talent in a competitive labor market. Watch the recap video to relive the energy and insights…