The cost of construction materials jumped in March, even as the amount contractors charge to complete projects remained stagnant, according to an analysis of producer price index figures released today by AGC.  Association officials noted that the spike in materials prices continues despite relatively weak overall demand for construction, and cautioned that current market conditions could force some firms out of business.

Construction employment increased in 171 out of 337 metropolitan areas between February 2011 and February 2012, decreased in 119 and stayed level in 47, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by AGC.

The construction industry lost 7,000 jobs between February and March, following a similar decline of 6,000 the month before, but extended a pattern of modest year-over-year job increases, according to an analysis of new federal employment data released today by AGC. Association officials said that lack of long-term federal highway and transit funding threatens to hold down future job gains.

Construction spending in February topped year-ago totals by 5.8 percent as a double-digit increase in private construction offset a small drop in public sector spending, according to a new analysis of federal data released today by AGC. The gains occurred despite a 1.1 percent decrease in spending from January to February and a dip of 0.8 percent the month before, based on revised data.

Construction employment rose in 30 states and the District of Columbia between February 2011 and February 2012, while 18 states lost construction jobs and two held steady—the best net positive showing for state construction employment since January 2007, according to an analysis byAGC of Labor Department data. Twenty-nine states and D.C. added construction jobs between January and February, while 21 states had decreases for the month.

Construction employment declined in 111 out of 337 metropolitan areas between January 2011 and January 2012, increased in 169 and stayed level in 57, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by AGC. The new construction employment data comes out amid growing concerns within the business community about Washington’s failure to enact a number of long-term infrastructure measures.

During AGC’s Annual Convention, AGC chief economist Ken Simonson and Reed Construction Data’s U.S. chief economist Bernard Markstein, held an economic luncheon.  During the event, both economists provided a relatively upbeat assessment of the economic outlook for the construction industry.

The cost of construction materials accelerated dramatically in February after moderating for several months, according to an analysis of producer price index figures released today by AGC. As a result, construction firms will be forced to pay more for key materials even as demand for construction remains weak, AGC officials noted.

Construction employment rose in 28 states and the District of Columbia between January 2011 and January 2012, while 20 states lost construction jobs and two held steady—the best net positive showing for state construction employment since 2007, according to an analysis by AGC of Labor Department data. Thirty-five states and D.C. added construction jobs between December 2011 and January, while 13 states had decreases for the month and two states had no change.

The construction industry lost 13,000 jobs between January and February, but continued a string of year-over-year job increases, according to an analysis of new federal employment data released today by AGC. AGC officials said that short-term factors such as weather contributed to the monthly loss even as longer-term trends are becoming a bit more positive.