“We congratulate all the winners from tonight’s election and look forward to having the opportunity to educate newly elected members about the construction industry’s many contributions to our broader economic prosperity.
Construction employment increased by 30,000 jobs in October and by 330,000 jobs over the past year, topping 7.3 million for the first time since April 2008, while the industry’s average pay jumped and unemployment decreased to a historic low, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Despite the steep gains in employment and pay, a recent survey by the association finds contractors continue to struggle to find qualified workers.
Construction spending hit a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.329 trillion and grew 5.5 percent for nine months of 2018 combined, with continued year-to-date gains for major public and private categories, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said that while demand for construction should remain strong for the next several months, the construction sector could be impacted by new trade tariffs, continues workforce shortages and higher interest rates.
Construction employment increased in 278 out of 358 metro areas between September 2017 and September 2018, declined in 42 and was unchanged in 38, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that construction employment is growing in most parts of the country as firms expand to keep pace with growing demand for construction.
³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø recently participated in a roundtable discussion with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the Smart Sectors Partnership and highlight initial successes. ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø took the opportunity to express support of EPA’s efforts to improve the clarity and speed of the permits it issues. ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø understands that state agencies issue most environmental permits; however, states use EPA’s permits/programs as a model. Improvements EPA makes can have a positive impact on state-issued permits. To this end, EPA is working on a policy for how the agency assesses the adequacy of state pollution control programs. Click here to see EPA’s priority goals and latest action plan.
Each year, ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø seeks nominations for qualified and motivated individuals from the ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø Environmental Forum to serve on the steering committee for the forum. Would you like to play a leadership role in ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø of America’s environmental advocacy, education and outreach efforts?
Submitted by: Jane C. Luxton and Amanda L. Tharpe
³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø Supported Revisions Included
Forty-five states and the District of Columbia added construction jobs between September 2017 and September 2018...
On October 17, 2018, the Trump Administration unveiled its Fall 2018 Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions mapping out federal agency priorities for the coming months. This bi-annual publication informs the public of regulations under consideration or planned by federal agencies. The present agenda includes several submissions by labor agencies.