Construction Bid Prices Jump in October Amid Mixed Costs for Materials as Contractors Cope With Supply-Chain, Labor Availability Challenges

Construction Bid Prices Jump in October Amid Mixed Costs for Materials as Contractors Cope With Supply-Chain, Labor Availability Challenges

A measure of construction contractors’ bid prices moved sharply higher in October as firms coped with ongoing supply-chain challenges and a tight labor market, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data released recently. Association officials said rising construction costs threaten to undermine demand for projects and urged administration…

Construction Employment Grows in 269 of 358 Metro Areas From September 2021 to 2022 but Looming Challenges Imperil Future Gains

Construction Employment Grows in 269 of 358 Metro Areas From September 2021 to 2022 but Looming Challenges Imperil Future Gains

Construction employment increased in 269 of 358 metro areas between September 2021 and September 2022, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government employment data. But association officials noted that those job gains could stall as the industry faces a growing list of challenges, including labor shortages, rising materials…

Apprentices “Earn While They Learn” to Build a Clean Energy Future

Apprentices “Earn While They Learn” to Build a Clean Energy Future

Historically, apprentices played an important role  in developing and supporting the early economy of the United States. In fact, George Washington was an apprentice surveyor and Benjamin Franklin was an apprentice printer. Today, apprentices continue to make critical contributions to our country’s economy, infrastructure, and industry. While apprenticeships thrive across a range of industries, the construction…

Biden-Harris Administration Announces $13 Billion To Modernize and Expand America’s Power Grid

Biden-Harris Administration Announces $13 Billion To Modernize and Expand America’s Power Grid

The Biden-Harris Administration, through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced $13 billion in new financing opportunities for the expansion and modernization of the nation’s electric grid. Funded by the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Grid Resilience Innovative Partnership (GRIP) program and the Transmission Facilitation Program together represent the largest single direct federal investment…

HMSDC Collaborates With Supplier Diversity Professionals To L.E.V.E.L. U.P.

HMSDC Collaborates With Supplier Diversity Professionals To L.E.V.E.L. U.P.

Bringing Innovative Strategies To Supplier Diversity Programs The Houston Minority Supplier Development Council (HMSDC) is unwavering in taking action to bringkey corporate leaders together across industries for solutions, leaving an impactful footprint as it pushes growthfor Minority Business Enterprises and drives excellence in supplier diversity and supplier development. Though there has been growth in the…

New Study: Oil & Gas

New Study: Oil & Gas

The American Petroleum Institute (API) recently released a new analysis of the benefits of low-carbon hydrogen produced from natural gas. The study, commissioned by API and conducted by ICF, found that hydrogen produced from natural gas with carbon capture and produced from electricity and other energy sources could eliminate an additional 180 million metric tons…

Play Ball for Permitting Construction Projects in 2023

Play Ball for Permitting Construction Projects in 2023

By Helen Callier, Contributing Writer  “Play ball” is two words you should remember going into 2023. I enjoy networking with contractors, developers, and others in the construction industry. I recently attended the American Turkic Real Estate and Construction Summit in Houston and here’s the bottom line for the 2023 economy in Texas and in the…

Market News: Workplace Safety

Market News: Workplace Safety

The global Workplace Safety market size is projected to reach 30.4 Billion USD by 2028, from 13.1 Billion USD in 2021, at a CAGR of 12.8% during 2022-2028. Some of the factors influencing Workplace Safety market expansion include rising workplace injuries and tight industrial health and safety requirements. TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF THE WORKPLACE…

DART Launches Clean Team Initiative on Light Rail Trains

DART Launches Clean Team Initiative on Light Rail Trains

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) has launched a new pilot program that will substantially increase the agency’s commitment to riders to provide a safe and clean transit experience.  The DART Clean Team Initiative will utilize onboard contract cleaning personnel from the United Community of Faith to remove trash and debris aboard DART light rail vehicles…

Small Business Opportunities With TxDOT Unified Transportation Program

Small Business Opportunities With TxDOT Unified Transportation Program

The Unified Transportation Program (UTP) is TxDOT’s 10-year plan that guides the development of transportation work across the state. Organized into 12 funding categories, with each one addressing a specific type of work, the UTP authorizes the distribution of construction dollars expected to be available over the next 10 years. Within the UTP framework, TxDOT…

Governor Abbott, TxDOT, Announce Record $85 Billion 10-Year Transportation Plan

Governor Abbott, TxDOT, Announce Record $85 Billion 10-Year Transportation Plan

Governor Greg Abbott recently announced the adoption of the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) 2023 Unified Transportation Program (UTP), advancing a record $85 billion, 10-year statewide roadway construction plan. The 2023 UTP reflects an unprecedented level of projected transportation funding dedicated to improving transportation safety, addressing congestion and rural connectivity, and preserving roadways for Texas…

Architecture Industry News

Architecture Industry News

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) By the Numbers report for 2021 showcases the annual performance of the architecture and engineering firm signatories of the 2030 Commitment. The By the Numbers report can be explored on AIA’s website at AIA.org.   With buildings contributing almost 40 percent of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions, architecture and design firms…

Demand for Design Services Accelerates

Demand for Design Services Accelerates

Demand for design services from U.S. architecture firms grew at an accelerated pace in August, according to a new report from The American Institute of Architects (AIA). AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for August rose to 53.3 compared to 51.0 in July (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). During August, the…

Construction Input Costs Jump 12.6 Percent Year-Over-Year Despite Dip in September as Most Materials Post Double-Digit Increases Over 12 Months

Construction Input Costs Jump 12.6 Percent Year-Over-Year Despite Dip in September as Most Materials Post Double-Digit Increases Over 12 Months

The price of materials and services used in nonresidential construction jumped 12.6 percent in September from a year earlier despite a dip of 0.2 percent last month, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data released recently. Association officials note that the construction industry was suffering the most from…

How Will the Looming Recession Impact Construction Jobs?

How Will the Looming Recession Impact Construction Jobs?

Jobs come, and jobs go. There isn’t much of a call for harpooners on whaling ships anymore. Of course, ten years ago, most people couldn’t imagine anyone working as a cryptocurrency investigator. It’s not just innovation, though. Economic forces can squeeze people right out of certain fields. With a recession looming or already here, MerchantMaverick.com…

Biden-Harris Administration Launches $1 Billion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Program To Enhance Energy Systems in Rural and Remote Communities

Biden-Harris Administration Launches $1 Billion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Program To Enhance Energy Systems in Rural and Remote Communities

The Biden-Harris Administration, through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), recently issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking public input on a new $1 billion program to improve energy generation in rural or remote communities across the country. Funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) program…