Construction spending increased in December compared to both November and a year ago thanks to growing demand for residential construction, according to an analysis of federal spending data the Associated General Contractors of America released today. Association officials noted, however, that spending on private nonresidential construction was flat for the month and down compared to a year ago while public sector construction spending fell for both the month and the year.
鈥淒emand for new housing remains strong, while demand for nonresidential projects has been variable and most types of public sector investments in construction are declining,鈥 said Ken Simonson, the association鈥檚 chief economist. 鈥淐ontractors coping with rising materials prices and labor shortages are also dealing with the consequences of a nonresidential market that is, at best, uneven.鈥
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