Total construction spending increased by 0.3 percent in March as growth in manufacturing and education pulled up nonresidential construction spending for the month, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America today of new federal data. Association officials said the increases in construction demand were occurring during a time when most firms are struggling to find workers to hire.
“The manufacturing construction boom is really helping construction weather the softening residential and other nonresidential markets,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. “But even as overall demand continues to increase, most firms are having a hard time finding enough workers to keep pace with that demand.”
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