Articles by Alisa Zevin

Increase in job openings can be attributed immigration policy changes, while economic uncertainty may have brought the number of workers quitting jobs to a longtime low. 

Economic uncertainty and rising prices lead to declining construction activity in July, the third consecutive month nonresidential construction spending has fallen.

Prices are increasing “too quickly,” says ABC economist. 

Commercial and industrial construction planning each saw increases since June. 

While rates remain low, builders are “more cautious in their hiring,” says economist Bernard Markstein.

Associated Builders and Contractors Chief Economist Anirban Basu cites labor shortages, tariffs as continuing industry challenges while construction spending slows amid caution and the end of Biden administration funding. 

Despite ongoing economic uncertainty, ABC members report an increase in construction backlog.

May 2025 job opening were down by 130,000 compared with May 2024.

Residential and non-residential spending both experienced yearly and monthly declines, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.