NAHB Index Shows Recovery Spreading

Of the approximately 350 metro markets nationwide, 59 returned to or exceeded their last normal levels of economic and housing activity, according to the recently released National Association of Home Builders/First American Leading Markets Index (LMI). This represents a net gain of 11 metros year over year.

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Construction Gains Jobs in March

The U.S. construction industry gained 19,000 jobs in March and the construction unemployment rate fell to 11.3 percent (non-seasonally adjusted), according to the April 4 employment report by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Nonresidential construction segments added 6,700 jobs in March, a marked improvement from the 2,800 jobs (revised) added in February. The improvement led the construction unemployment rate…

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Dodge Momentum Index Slips in March

The Dodge Momentum Index retreated 0.8 percent in March compared to February, according to McGraw Hill Construction, a division of McGraw Hill Financial. The Momentum Index is a monthly measure of the first (or initial) report for nonresidential building projects in planning, which have been shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a full year.

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Metso Establishes Joint Venture

Metso Minerals has entered into a 50-50 joint venture with LiuGong that will be headquartered in Shanghai. LiuGong-Metso will combine Metso’s know-how in track-mounted crushing, screening and technology with LiuGong’s extensive distribution and manufacturing resources in China. LiuGong-Metso will design and manufacture localized versions of Metso’s Lokotrack mobile crushers and screens under dual branding: LiuGong Metso. The joint venture will…

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Ryan Budget Proposal Advocates Cuts

Rep. Paul Ryan’s just-released budget would limit expenditures from the Highway Trust Fund to the dwindling revenues generated by the federal gasoline tax, but give states increased flexibility to pay for their highway projects, perhaps through keeping and spending the gas taxes collected in their state instead of sending them to Washington. The plan amounts to a decentralization of transportation…

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Main Tells NSSGA ‘We Owe Miners a Safe Workplace’

Joseph A. Main, assistant secretary of labor for Mine Safety and Health, addressed members of the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (NSSGA) at its convention March 5 in Las Vegas. Main covered a variety of topics, and noted that “the actions taken by MSHA and the mining community to improve mine safety and health” have put the industry “on…

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