Construction input prices increased 0.4% in July compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data. Nonresidential construction input prices also increased 0.4% for the month.

Associated Builders and Contractors reported that its Construction Backlog Indicator rose to 8.8 months in July, according to an ABC member survey conducted July 24 to Aug. 4. The reading is up 0.4 months since July 2024.

There is still time to enjoy the fleeting summer but before we know it, back to school will soon be upon us. The start of a new school year always brings excitement, new opportunities and continued realization that the construction industry offers competitive family-sustaining wages without the need for long-term debt that is so often associated with a college degree. With that in mind, we are happy to report that in July, our Chapter awarded 10 “Building Our Future Scholarships” to worthy apprentices who attend the Gould Construction Institute (GCI).

The construction industry had 246,000 job openings on the last day of June, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey. JOLTS defines a job opening as any unfilled position for which an employer is actively recruiting. Industry job openings increased by 14,000 last month but are down by 39,000 from the same time last year.

The national June 2025 not seasonally adjusted construction unemployment rate was 3.4%, a 0.1% increase from June 2024, according to by Associated Builders and Contractors’ state-by-state analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The analysis found that 18 states had lower estimated construction unemployment rates over the same period, 28 had higher rates and four states had the same rates. All of the states had construction unemployment rates below 10%.

On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (“OBBBA”) into law. The package contains an estimated $12.5 trillion in tax provisions that will impact both businesses and individuals. The provisions of the bill largely fell into one of four categories:

Associated Builders and Contractors reported that its Construction Backlog Indicator rose to 8.7 months in June, according to an ABC member survey conducted June 20 to July 7. The reading is up 0.3 months since June 2024.

Construction input prices increased 0.2% in June compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data. Nonresidential construction input prices increased 0.3% for the month.

Late last month, the Gould Construction Institute (GCI) held its annual Student Appreciation Night and honored graduating apprentices.  It’s a great event where students celebrate the hard work they put in to reach a career milestone, with our entire community on hand to join them while enjoying raffles, giveaways, good food and refreshments as they complete another year of their education.

The construction industry added 15,000 jobs on net in June, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. On a year-over-year basis, industry employment has increased by 121,000 jobs, or 1.5%.