Ken Simonson

cement shortage areas

Construction employment by state slowed in May, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data released Friday.

Imports of goods rose 16% in the first four months of 2005 compared to the same period of 2004, the Commerce Deparment reported today.

Inflation reports this week showed mixed messages for both consumer and producer prices, including construction materials.

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld issued his recommendations on Friday for closing, expanding, or realigning hundreds of military facilities in every state and the District of Columbia.

A solid rise in construction employment in April made the lead paragraph in today's Congresional testimony by Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Commissioner Kathleen Utgoff.

Early measures of first-quarter construction activity show weakness compared to late 2004 but a modest improvement relative to the first quarter of 2004.

The value of construction put in place totaled $1.047 trillion at a seasonally adjusted annual rate in February, the Census Bureau reported today.

Nonfarm payroll employment surged 262,000, seasonally adjusted, in February, nearly double the average gain for the three previous months, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported today.

Economic review for Feb. 25, 2005