Master Builders of Iowa

148 OUT OF 337 METRO AREAS ADD CONSTRUCTION JOBS BETWEEN DECEMBER 2010 & 2011 AS SPENDING ON CONSTRUCTION INCREASES BY 4.3 PERCENT YEAR OVER YEAR

Construction employment increased in 148 out of 337 metropolitan areas between December 2010 and December 2011, decreased in 128 and stayed level in 61, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. The construction employment increases were likely fueled by a 4.3 percent increase in total construction spending between December 2010 and December 2011, driven largely by growing private sector demand, association officials noted. “Many communities are benefitting from growing demand from the private sector for new construction activity,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Unfortunately, too many other areas are still coping with construction employment losses as the overall market remains relatively weak.”

Sabine Hoover of FMI Corporation will be presenting Ethics: When “Trust Me” Isn’t Enough at this year’s 100th Annual Construction Convention & Expo on Tuesday, February 21, 2012, from 2:30– 4:30 pm.  The convention will be held in downtown Des Moines at the Iowa Events Center. 

Recent news is full of stories about scandals, cover-ups and ethical breaches. The construction industry, as a whole, has often struggled with its reputation. You may face ethical challenges in your own businesses, both internally and externally, everything from bid rigging, sub shopping and unsubstantiated change orders. Ethics and integrity are crucial business issues, and your decisions and actions will determine your longterm financial success. This session will discuss how to build trust through integrity, intent, capabilities and results.

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS PRICES INCH DOWN IN NOVEMBER BUT CONTINUE TO OUTRUN YEAR-OVER-YEAR BUILDING PRICES, SQUEEZING STRAPPED CONTRACTORS

The amount contractors pay for a range of key construction materials edged down 0.1 percent in November but climbed 6.2 percent from a year earlier, outstripping the increase in contractors’ bid prices for finished buildings, according to an analysis of producer price index figures released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Officials with the construction association warned that the cost squeeze on contractors, combined with declining public sector investments in construction, may drive many contractors out of business.

Construction employment shrank for the second straight month in November as residential, nonresidential building and heavy construction segments remained in low gear, according to an analysis of new federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the employment drop reflects continued declines in public sector investments. They added that construction employment could benefit from increased transportation investments and other pro-growth measures designed to boost private sector demand.

CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYMENT RISES IN 25 STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA IN OCTOBER, WHILE 25 STATES SHED INDUSTRY WORKERS DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS

Construction employment rose in half the states and decreased in half in October and during the past year, closely matching the stable national employment picture, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data. The even split between gains and losses reflects the accelerating improvement in apartment and private nonresidential construction, offset by a declining public market and stalled single-family sector.