Author: macrina.wilkins@agc.org

Construction contractors have “dampened” expectations for 2026, aside from surging demand for data centers and power facilities, amid broader worries about the direction of the economy, according to Dampened Expectations: The 2026 Construction Hiring and Business Outlook which the Associated General Contractors of America and Sage released today. In addition to lower expectations, contractors report they have been impacted by tariffs, enhanced immigration enforcement, and challenges finding qualified workers. “While there are pockets of optimism in select private-sector markets, contractors’ overall sentiment has dampened notably compared to last year,” said Jeffrey Shoaf, the association’s chief executive officer. “One reason for…

Construction workforce shortages are the leading cause of project delays as new immigration enforcement efforts have impacted near one-third of construction firms, according to the results of a workforce survey conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America and NCCER. Noting that 92 percent of contractors report they are having a hard time filling open positions, construction officials called for more funding for construction education and new, lawful ways for people to enter the country to work in the industry. “As the survey results show, construction workforce shortages aren’t just a problem for the construction industry,” said Ken Simonson, the…