Author: agcnews

Originally built in 1925 as a movie theater, Powell Hall has been the home of the St. Louis Symphony since 1968. A major renovation and expansion has now reimagined the historic landmark for a new generation of performers, audiences and the St. Louis community. The project added approximately 64,000 square feet of space, including expanded areas for patrons, musicians, backstage operations, education and learning. The front-of-house expansion was designed with the visitor experience in mind, creating a welcoming new entrance, grand lobby, additional amenities and a monumental spiral staircase. The staircase has become one of the defining architectural features of…

Construction employment increases in 177, or 49%, of 360 metro areas between August 2025 and August 2026, as data centers, power projects, and advanced manufacturing plants continue to drive gains in select markets. Houston adds the most construction jobs over the year, while Baton Rouge posts the largest percentage increase; Atlanta records the largest job loss, and Walla Walla has the steepest percentage decline. AGC of America says the uneven growth underscores the need for policies that support construction demand, including a new multiyear highway and transit bill, greater certainty on tariffs, and a workable path for responsible data center…

Construction employment increased in 35 states and the District of Columbia from August 2025 to August 2026, while 31 states added jobs between July and August, according to an analysis of new federal data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials cautioned, however, that several policy developments threaten to reverse those gains, including an explosion of moratoriums on data centers, delayed passage of long-term federal funding for highways and transit, and frequent changes in tariffs. “A solid majority of states added construction jobs in August on both a monthly and year-over-year basis,” said Ken Simonson, the…

For construction professionals, safety means being prepared for the unexpected. For one California construction leader, that preparation included keeping naloxone — a medication that can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose — readily available. After an inspector shared a personal story about his son experiencing an overdose, the experience prompted further research into the opioid crisis and the importance of having naloxone available in an emergency. That research ultimately led to a simple decision: Make sure every project under his direction in California had naloxone on site. That preparation became critical in November 2025. While attending a conference, he heard people…

The producer price index for inputs to new nonresidential construction rose 8.9% from August 2025 to August 2026 as conflicts in the Middle East and steep tariffs on key materials led to rising prices that are contributing to construction project delays, according to an analysis and a survey by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data released today. Association officials said the rising materials prices, along with higher labor costs, are making it harder for many projects to pencil out, prompting some developers to put planned construction on hold. “Construction firms are being squeezed by tariff- and war-induced…

What does it take to build a facility capable of advancing how the nation monitors and understands its water resources? In Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the answer includes a 350-foot tow tank, a 250-foot-class tilting flume, a wave generator, specialized laboratories, environmental chambers and highly sophisticated testing spaces—all brought together in a one-of-a-kind facility for the U.S. Geological Survey. The Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility (HIF) on The University of Alabama campus serves as a national center for developing, testing, repairing and calibrating the hydrologic equipment used to monitor streamflow, groundwater, water quality and other water resources across the country. The 95,000-square-foot facility includes…

Construction firms added 22,000 jobs in August and the industry’s unemployment fell to an all-time low of 3.1% according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government data released today. Association officials cautioned, however, that results of its latest workforce survey finds contractors struggling to fill openings amid surging demand for data center construction and a crackdown on immigration. “The boom in data center construction, along with advanced manufacturing and power projects, is supporting a strong upturn in industry employment and wages despite weakness in homebuilding and other project types,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s…

Construction employment increased in fewer than half—173, or 48%, out of 360—of metro areas between July 2025 and July 2026, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government employment data. Association officials said that despite the widespread job losses, contractors that are building data centers and advanced manufacturing facilities are still struggling to find qualified workers to hire. “Demand for workers is currently very unbalanced,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Contractors that are building data centers, power projects and advanced manufacturing plants can’t find enough skilled workers, while firms in a majority…

Construction spending declined by 0.5% from June to July and by 3.8% compared to a year ago, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of a new government report released today. Association officials noted that demand for new data centers, power projects and highways is propping up much of the industry, but all three segments are at risk. “Only three categories are propping up construction spending: data centers, power and highway projects,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. Unfortunately, all of these segments face risks of cooling or shrinking due to worker shortages, political pushback,…

Apply by October 31, 2026! AGC of America is proud to announce the launch of the 2027 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 safe,…