Welcome to Thanksgiving Week! If you’re looking for this week’s biggest construction news headlines then you’re in the right spot! Grab a cup of coffee and dig in.
Nation’s Fastest-Growing Construction Market is in Omaha, Nebraska via Omaha World-Herald
Some of you may be surprised to learn that Omaha, Nebraska ranked #1 as the top growing construction market out of 538 metropolitan markets being monitored by the Associated General Contractors of America. A 20% uptick in jobs from October 2018 to October 2019 brought an increase of nearly 6,000 construction jobs in just one year. This brings Omaha’s total to nearly 36,000 workers. This growth may be inhibited by the same types of labor challenges faced by many construction companies nationally as a lack of younger workers continues to create difficulties for employers trying to keep up with the demand.
New PA Law requiring immigration checks on construction workers shows labor’s identity crisis via The Philadelphia Inquirer
The highly controversial E-Verify program is back in the news today. Pennsylvania becomes the newest state to join the ranks by passing a new State law requiring immigration checks for construction workers. The law, supported by the industry’s unions, is vehemently opposed by many. Many argue that E-Verify will exasperate labor shortage issues and create a culture of fear.
Public Sector Work Will Lead Market in 2020, Industry Economists Say via Engineering News-Record
Healthcare project spending expected to increase in 2020 according to Dodge Data & Analytics
Public sector projects are expected to pave the way for construction forecasts in 2020. Engineering-News Record (ENR) forecasts a boost in the sector after analyzing several economic forecasts and reports. The article cites reports from Dodge Data and Analytics wich indicates there WILL BE a 4% decrease in construction growth overall during 2020. The same report, however, emphasized that education and healthcare project spending is forecast to rise 2 & 3% respectively, along with non-building public works where are forecast to rise 4% next year.
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