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During �鶹��Ƶ’s Annual Convention, �鶹��Ƶ chief economist Ken Simonson and Reed Construction Data’s U.S. chief economist Bernard Markstein, held an economic luncheon.  During the event, both economists provided a relatively upbeat assessment of the economic outlook for the construction industry.

The cost of construction materials accelerated dramatically in February after moderating for several months, according to an analysis of producer price index figures released today by �鶹��Ƶ. As a result, construction firms will be forced to pay more for key materials even as demand for construction remains weak, �鶹��Ƶ officials noted.

Construction employment rose in 28 states and the District of Columbia between January 2011 and January 2012, while 20 states lost construction jobs and two held steady—the best net positive showing for state construction employment since 2007, according to an analysis by �鶹��Ƶ of Labor Department data. Thirty-five states and D.C. added construction jobs between December 2011 and January, while 13 states had decreases for the month and two states had no change.

The construction industry lost 13,000 jobs between January and February, but continued a string of year-over-year job increases, according to an analysis of new federal employment data released today by �鶹��Ƶ. �鶹��Ƶ officials said that short-term factors such as weather contributed to the monthly loss even as longer-term trends are becoming a bit more positive.

Construction spending inched down less than 0.1 percent in January, following a large upward revision in December and November, according to a new analysis of federal data released today by �鶹��Ƶ. All forms of residential construction did well for the month and year-over-year, while private nonresidential spending was mixed and public construction declined amid continued congressional delays in passing a host of long-term infrastructure and tax measures.

Construction employment remains below peak levels in 329 out of 337 metro areas, according to a new analysis released today by �鶹��Ƶ. Given the continued weakness in construction employment, �鶹��Ƶ urged Congress to pass years-late infrastructure measures, including legislation to fund highway, transit and aviation construction work.“What makes these job losses even more frustrating is the fact that many of them could have been avoided,” said �鶹��Ƶ’s chief executive officer, Stephen E. Sandherr. “Thousands more construction workers would be employed today if Congress wasn’t years late in passing measures like the highway and transit bill.”Sandherr said that �鶹��Ƶ is working with groups such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to push for passage of a new, fully-funded surface transportation bill as part of an effort called Make Transportation Job #1.To read the full press release, click here.View the new construction employment figures by state or by rank.      

The cost of construction materials is showing signs of accelerating after moderating in January, according to an analysis of producer price index figures and recent market information released today by �鶹��Ƶ. Ongoing price increases underscore the urgency of funding public construction projects promptly, �鶹��Ƶ officials said.

The construction industry added 21,000 jobs in January, as a second consecutive month of unseasonably mild winter weather helped the industry raise employment to a two-year high, according to an analysis of new federal employment data released today by �鶹��Ƶ.  Association officials cautioned that the gains remain fragile amid declining public sector investments in construction and infrastructure.

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 �鶹��Ƶ.  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, �鶹��Ƶ officials noted.

Construction employment rose in 28 states and the District of Columbia between December 2010 and December 2011, the largest number of states with year-over-year employment gains since November 2007, according to an analysis by �鶹��Ƶ of America of Labor Department data. In contrast, 24 states plus D.C. lost jobs between November and December 2011, while 23 states added construction jobs for the month.