Prices of construction materials jumped nearly 20 percent in 2021 despite moderating in December, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data released today. Association officials said contractors rate materials costs as a top concern for 2022, according to a survey predicting the industry’s outlook for the industry the association released yesterday.

Only 18 states and the District of Columbia have added construction jobs since just before the start of the pandemic in February 2020 despite a pickup in most states from October to November, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said one reason employment is below pre-pandemic levels in many parts of the country is the lack of available workers to hire.

The Biden Administration’s Commerce Department announced that it will double anti-dumping and countervailing duties on Canadian softwood lumber producers, from 8.99% to 17.99%. Earlier this year, Commerce said it planned to increase the tariffs to 18.32% but agreed to further study the issue after significant bipartisan pushback from Congress, which AGC supported at the time.

Total construction spending edged higher in October, as gains in public and private project types outmatched decreases in single- and multifamily residential outlays, according to a new analysis of federal construction spending data the Associated General Contractors of America released today. Officials noted that public sector investments would likely rise in the near future because of the recently-passed infrastructure bill, but cautioned that labor shortages and supply chain problems were posing significant challenges for the industry.

Only 16 states and the District of Columbia have added construction jobs since just before the start of the pandemic in February 2020, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that prospects for the sector’s recovery will be diminished should the House-passed Build Back Better bill become law.