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Construction supply chain: Where it’s headed
For anyone who follows construction statistics, Ken Simonson鈥檚 name is a familiar one. He recently addressed concerns about prices of building materials.
Construction spending hits eight-year peak
December鈥檚 spending numbers were released Monday by the Commerce Department and they show a slight gain over November but overall another huge year for construction.
Plenty of work, too few workers
The construction industry in Oregon is suffering from an aging workforce and a shallow labor pool.
State employment department: jobs outlook for construction 鈥榮trong and robust鈥�
The industry in Oregon has added 8,100 jobs, an 11.8 percent increase, since Nov. 2012, according to seasonally adjusted data released by the Oregon Employment Department.
Construction materials costs rising rapidly
Prices for materials have grown rapidly over the past year, further complicating financial woes for contractors that have had to lowball bids to keep working during the recession.
Pacific Northwest construction could rebound quickly
Expect slow but steady growth in the Pacific Northwest construction sector over the next year, says Ken Simonson, chief economist for the Associated General Contractors. Nationally, the group expects steady […]
The ‘D’ word
Today's release of Labor Department data shows the job picture isn't improving nationwide. In fact, unemployment continues to climb, with construction still being one of the hardest hit industries.
Reedsport contractor is stimulus success story
An Oregon construction contractor brought some good news to a national forum on Friday. Don Laskey, owner of Laskey-Clifton Corp. of Reedsport, said stimulus projects have allowed him to keep […]
News
- Multnomah County commits up to $101.6M for Moda Center
- Portland code changes to take effect in November
- Los Colibris project approved for Portland’s OMSI District
- Pacific Northwest projects totaling $9.9 million in top bidders | Aug. 7, 2026
- Oregon opens infrastructure grant program
- Ex-TV host claps back at Detroit officials in blight case
- 31-unit multifamily project in Portland land use review intakes | Aug. 3, 2026
- $2.4 million office renovation in Portland building permits | Aug. 3, 2026
- Transportation commission weighs ODOT budget cuts
- Lam Research planning $1.7 billion investment in Tualatin
- Pacific Northwest projects totaling $10.6 million in top bidders | July 31, 2026
- Many Oregon counties struggling to maintain their fairgrounds
Commentary
- Beware of when the debt collector comes calling | Opinion
- Assembly of a future workforce begins with an invitation | Opinion
- Beware of overlooking legal requirements for remote workers | Opinion
- Become a critical thinker and transform a workplace | Opinion
- Managing construction risks with international suppliers | Opinion
- A rally with many engines: the lesson of 2026’s first half | Opinion
- Oregon housing challenges persist despite sound and fury | Opinion
- When does an employee’s bullying become harassment? | Opinion
- Ditch disorganization 鈥� the cost of deferred decisions | Opinion
- Consider 10 common risks for healthcare construction projects | Opinion
- Clarifying the reach of a law regarding prevailing wage | Opinion
- Adjust to legal changes now to ensure compliance later | Opinion
