Construction employment increased by 7,000 in May, helping to push the industry’s unemployment rate down to the lowest May level in five years, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the relatively positive jobs report for the sector underscores the need to address potential shortages of skilled workers. “Although the monthly job gain in May was modest, both residential and nonresidential construction have been adding workers at roughly double the rate of the overall economy in the past year,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “At the same
Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper recently signed into law a measure to expand and improve the state’s Renewable Energy Standard (RES) statute to drive clean-energy investment, jobs, and project development in rural Colorado. “A year ago, the market outlook for renewable energy in Colorado was bleak,” said Sarah Propst, executive director of the Interwest Energy Alliance. “Implementation of SB 252, combined with Xcel’s recent announcement that it will buy 550 MW of wind based on low price alone, means a complete turnaround for the Colorado market. Now we expect roughly 1,000 MW of market opportunity for clean energy over the next
Justin Cooper has been named a vice president at GE Johnson Construction, Denver and Colorado Springs. Since joining the firm in 1998, Cooper has led preconstruction, team integration and development on more than 5 million sq ft of health care projects, including five new hospital campuses. Related Links: Engineering News Record Architectural Record Shannon Rogers has also been named a vice president at GE Johnson. Starting in 2006, Rogers developed the firm's in-house building information modeling team and systems integration group, which now includes nine design and construction professionals.Jim Starling, a veteran Regional Transportation District project manager who oversaw the
Following the first reversal into negative territory in 10 months in April, the Architecture Billings Index bounced back in May. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine- to 12-month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects reported the May ABI score was 52.9, up dramatically from a mark of 48.6 in April. This score reflects an increase in demand for design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index was 59.1, up slightly from the reading of 58.5 the previous
An important new women's business center in Afghanistan opened at the end of May. It is aimed at educating entrepreneurs who want to start their own businesses in the war-torn country. Related Links: Petra Master Plan Wins National Design Award U.S. Rebuilding Efforts in Afghanistan The International Center for Afghan Women's Economic Development is also the new home for the U.S.-Afghan Women's Council, several other nongovernmental organizations and a university program focusing on women's economic development. The center, designed by Denver-based architectural and interior design firm Burkett Design, is located on the campus of American University of Afghanistan (AUAF). It
Regional design firms are decidedly more upbeat than in previous years. They report an upswing in several markets, most notably multifamily, mixed-use, offices, energy and some public-works sectors. Big concerns include the decline in funding for institutional work, finding enough qualified people to do the work and ongoing uncertainty about the long-term health of the economy. Related Links: Regional Designers Push for More Diverse Services Regional Design Firms Hurting From Flat Economy, Stalled Projects However, many regional design firm leaders think the local economies in Salt Lake City, Boise and Denver will continue to improve and remain stronger than in
Aircraft manufacturer MSC Aerospace has announced a major expansion in southern Utah. The company, and its subsidiaries Metalcraft Technologies (MTI) and SyberJet Aircraft (SJA), plan to expand their current Cedar City facilities to create more manufacturing capabilities in a 20-year agreement with the state of Utah. MTI is an aircraft parts and aero-structures manufacturer. MTI fabricates, processes and assembles parts, sub-assemblies and aircraft tools according to customer specifications using aluminum, titanium and stainless steel. MTI’s customers include Boeing, Bombardier’s Learjet, General Electric, Gulfstream, Lockheed, Northrop Grumman, SyberJet, Vought and others.MSC and its subsidiaries will invest millions into the Iron County
The RMH Group, Lakewood, Colo., was presented with an Honor Award as well as a National Recognition Award at the national Engineering Excellence Awards. The gala was hosted by the American Council of Engineering Cos. for The RMH Group’s role in the design of the new Toyota Elephant Passage exhibit at the Denver Zoo. Photo courtesy of The RMH Group The Denver Zoo and The RMH Group were presented with a national Honor Award at the ACEC Engineering Excellence Awards Gala in Washington, D.C. on April 23. From left: George Pond, Denver Zoo vice president for planning and capital projects;
Haselden/Caspar/Pope—a joint venture collaboration among Haselden Construction, Caspar Building Systems and Pope Construction—recently celebrated the topping out of the Wyoming Medical Center’s new West Tower in Casper. The four-story structure will house 46 patient rooms, as well as a kitchen and servery, chapel, coffee shop, labor and delivery department, and a physical-therapy gym. Photo courtesy of Haselden/Caspar/Pope Wyoming Medical Centers new West Tower is currently the largest project under construction in Casper. Utilizing approximately 750 tons of structural steel, it is currently the largest project under construction in Casper. The project is using a crane with a boom length of
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