Construction employment exceeded pre-pandemic levels in 32 states in March, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the government should support more career opportunities to enable people to work in the industry.

At the AGC Annual Convention in Grapevine, Texas, the Building Division by acclimation elected Shannon Sapp as Chairman for 2022-2023. Shannon first joined Merit Construction in 1996 after graduating from Auburn University in 1994 with a Building Construction degree. Shannon has been engaged in all facets of Merit projects including medical facilities, schools, historic renovations, churches, condominiums, and retail office buildings. As president of the firm, Shannon focuses his attention on the overall operations of the organization including finances, human resources, and administration..

Prices of materials and services used in new nonresidential construction jumped more than 21 percent from March 2021 to March 2022, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data released today. The association urged the Biden administration to relieve major cost pressures by removing the remaining tariffs on aluminum, steel, and Canadian lumber.

For more than two years, the U.S. construction industry has been buffeted by unprecedented increases in material costs, supply-chain bottlenecks, and a tight labor market. AGC’s Construction Inflation Alert is intended to help owners, public officials, and others understand what contractors are experiencing. It also outlines steps owners and contractors can take to adjust to the fast-changing market conditions.

AGC helps construction firms prepare for ripple effect