Contractor Insider is a weekly roundup of the latest news and insights relevant to contractors.
Construction employment rises in majority of metro areas
Growth in construction employment was reported in 250 out of 358 metro areas from April 2018 to April 2019. AGC
- “Demand for construction is steady or rising in most parts of the country, and many contractors are adding workers when they can find them,” said economist Ken Simonson.
- Despite the increase in construction work, contractors still struggle with labor shortage to keep up with the soaring demand.
- AGC calls on state and local education officials to promote programs that expose and encourage young adults to pursue careers in construction.
Infrastructure a priority for most city mayors
The National League of Cities “State of the Cities” 2019 Report states that 57% of city mayors consider infrastructure issues a high priority. FCP
- Infrastructure was the second most covered issue among all 153 speeches delivered by city mayors from January to April 2019.
- The most popular construction sub-topics include roads, street signs, water, sewer, and waste. Mayors also recognized their fiscal limitations in addressing issues regarding these topics.
- Mayors expressed interest in technology-driven solution in improving the mobility and safety of both drivers and walkers, as well as the accessibility of walkways and boardwalks.
Remodeling spending to slow in major metros
More than half of the country’s major metropolitan areas are expected to see moderate growth in homeowner spending on remodeling and other improvements. JCHS
- A slow remodeling spending growth is projected to occur in 29 of 49 metro areas, but the JCHS forecast sees no major spending decline in 2019.
- Annual growth improvement expenditure is however set to fall at a three-year low in 22 of the 49 areas. Metros that are set to experience “especially pronounce slowing” include San Antonio, Buffalo, and Dallas.
- The strongest growth is projected to happen among Western states like Sacramento, Denver, and Seattle.