Author: agcnews
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…
Construction employment edged higher by 2,000 jobs in July, as spending on projects underway in June decreased 0.4 percent from May, according to an analysis of two new government reports that the Associated General Contractors of America released today. Association officials pointed to ongoing tariff and labor uncertainty as the reason many construction owners may be scaling back planned projects. “Employment growth in construction has slowed over the past year as uncertainty about tariffs and labor availability have caused owners to delay, stretch out, shrink, and cancel projects,” said, Ken Simonson, chief economist of the Associated General Contractors of America.…
There’s still time to make your voice heard! AGC of America is asking construction firms like yours to take a few minutes to complete our Workforce Survey before it closes on August 15. We want to better understand how labor shortages, changes in immigration enforcement, and new tariffs are impacting your operations. The more responses we receive, the more effectively we can advocate for real solutions to support the construction industry. Survey results will be released the week before Labor Day, helping to shape the national conversation around workforce challenges. If you haven’t taken the survey yet, now’s the time.…
Exactly half of the nation’s metro areas added construction jobs between June 2024 and June 2025, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government employment data. Association officials noted that construction demand appears to be stalled in many parts of the country amid uncertainty about tariff rates and labor availability. “Construction activity is in a holding pattern in much of the nation,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “As a result, fewer metro areas are experiencing gains in construction employment compared to a year ago.” The construction economist noted that only 180 of…
Apply by Monday, October 27, 2025! AGC of America is proud to announce the launch of the 2026 AGC Awards competitions! The Baldwin Group Build America Awards (including the Marvin M. Black Partnering Excellence category) and AGC in the Community competitions recognize the nation’s most impressive construction projects ranging across the building, highway and transportation, utility infrastructure, and federal and heavy divisions; those contractors excelling in their partnering and collaborative endeavors; and the charitable contractors and chapters giving back to their communities. The Culture of CARE Impact Awards celebrate construction companies that are transforming their culture to create environments where every individual feels…