Author: agcnews

On Dec. 30, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released a final rule to newly define “waters of the United States” (WOTUS). AGC has been working to bring clarity to the question of when a costly and time-consuming federal water permit is required on projects (vs. a state permit). The agencies released the rule as the U.S. Supreme Court is deciding on a case that will have bearing on the definition of WOTUS. Furthermore, the agencies also have previously stated that they plan a second round of changes in a Phase Two rulemaking. “It is…

New Industry Outlook Survey Shows Contractors Expect Infrastructure and Other Public-Sector Funding Will Help As Growth Slows for Many Types of Private Construction, but Labor Shortages and Supply Chain Issues Persist Construction contractors are less optimistic about many private-sector segments than they were a year ago, but their expectations for the public sector market have remained relatively bullish, according to survey results released today by the Associated General Contractors of America and Sage. The findings are detailed in High Hopes for Public Sector Funding Amid Workforce and Supply Chain Challenges: The 2023 Construction Hiring & Business Outlook. “Contractors are optimistic about the construction…

Total construction spending increased by 0.2 percent in November, dragged down by a lack of new infrastructure projects along with a continuing slide in homebuilding, according to an analysis the Associated General Contractors of America released today of federal spending data. Association officials urged leaders in Washington to speed the release of funds authorized by infrastructure laws passed in 2021 and 2022 and address regulatory delays associated with those projects. “A variety of private nonresidential categories, as well as multifamily projects, posted solid spending gains in November,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Many of these segments should continue…

Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas and Provo-Orem, Utah Have Largest 12-Month Gains; While Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Fla. Has Lost the Most Total Jobs and Has the Fastest Rate of Annual Decline Construction employment increased in 268 of 358 metro areas between November 2021 and November 2022, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government employment data. Association officials said the job gains likely would have been higher but that many contractors report that demand for new projects is outpacing the availability of workers in many parts of the country. Read more.

On this episode of ConstructorCast, two of the nation’s leading construction economists, Michael Guckes of ConstructConnect and AGC’s own Ken Simonson will discuss where the economy is headed, construction categories they think will do particularly well, and share their insights on top issues including supply chains and inventories, finding qualified workers, and materials costs. Listen Now! Guests: A.C. Michael Guckes Senior Economist ConstructConnect Michael.guckes@constructconnect.com Construction Economic ResourcesConstruction Economic News Kenneth D. Simonson Chief Economist Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) ken.simonson@agc.org Data Digest, a weekly one-page summary of economic news relevant to construction AGC’s Construction Inflation Alert More AGC construction economic information

On this episode of ConstructorCast, two of the nation’s leading construction economists, Michael Guckes of ConstructConnect and AGC’s own Ken Simonson will discuss where the economy is headed, construction categories they think will do particularly well, and share their insights on top issues including supply chains and inventories, finding qualified workers, and materials costs. Listen Now! Guests: A.C. Michael Guckes Senior Economist ConstructConnect Michael.guckes@constructconnect.com Construction Economic ResourcesConstruction Economic News Kenneth D. Simonson Chief Economist Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) ken.simonson@agc.org Data Digest, a weekly one-page summary of economic news relevant to construction AGC’s Construction Inflation Alert More AGC construction economic information

CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYMENT INCREASES IN 38 STATES BETWEEN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER, WHILE 42 STATES ADD JOBS SINCE NOVEMBER 2021Florida and Rhode Island Lead in Monthly Job Gains, While Texas and Colorado Have Largest Decreases; California and North Dakota Top List of Year-over-Year Gains, While South Carolina Has Largest Losses Construction employment climbed in 38 states from October to November and 42 states added construction jobs during the past 12 months, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America today. Association officials said the new employment data shows demand remains strong for the industry as…

Before the National Labor Relations Board’s (“Board” of “NLRB”) December 13 decision in Thryv, Inc., the Board’s traditional make-whole remedy for employee losses suffered as a result of an employer’s unfair labor practice was generally limited to back wages and/or reinstatement of employment. Following the decision, employers may be required to pay for a broader range of damages.In the Thryv case, which involved an employer’s alleged unfair labor practices relating to bargaining over a reduction in force, the Board dramatically broadened its interpretation of the scope of employer liability under the National Labor Relation Act (“Act’). It held that, in addition to back wages…

On December 12, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) announced the availability of 64,716 H-2B visas for the entirety fiscal year 2023. The H-2B program allows U.S. employers who meet specific regulatory requirements to bring foreign nationals to the United States to fill temporary (seasonal) nonagricultural jobs. Congress has typically capped the number of the temporary visas at 66,000 a year – 33,000 for summer and for winter. The H-2B visa allocation consists of roughly 44,700 visas available to returning workers who received an H-2B visa or were otherwise granted H-2B status during one of the…

AGC recently submitted comments on the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Wage and Hour Division’s (WHD) proposed rule to establish a new test for determining who is an independent contractor versus an employee under the Federal Labor Standards Act (FLSA). When the proposal is finalized, it would rescind a Trump administration final rule clarifying the standard for employee versus independent contractor status under the FLSA. AGC opposes the creation of this new standard for independent contractor classification and urged the DOL to withdraw this proposed rule. AGC has long called for federal clarification of the independent contractor status and preservation of legitimate independent contractor relationships, such…