Latest Stories
‘We Need to Lower Interest Rates’: Anirban Basu on 2026 Q1 Construction Economy
Data center construction, the Strait of Hormuz and that tenacious labor shortage are all top of mind for contractors this quarter.
Stepping Up: Custom Coinbase Staircase in NYC
Coinbase’s New York City office gets a custom upgrade with a sleek new central staircase.
Motel Tetris: Turning a Nashville Super 8 Into Award-Winning Affordable Apartments
When is a motel not just a motel? When it’s an award-winning, adaptive-reuse construction project.
Data Center Debate: The Effect of the Ratepayer Protection Pledge
AI demand is fueling a surge in data center construction—and attracting growing scrutiny from lawmakers over power, costs and labor policy.
‘Start Yesterday’: Time Sensitive Succession Planning in Construction
Contractors who want a successful ownership transition must start early. Strong financial management, clean records and strategic planning can increase company value, reduce risk and ensure a smoother succession—whether transferring ownership to family, employees or outside buyers.
New Names and Faces: March 2026
March’s round up of promotions, appointments and awards amongst ABC member companies.
Wiring the AI Economy: Construction Spending on Data Centers
Explosive growth in data center construction is straining labor markets, reshaping policy debates and accelerating technology adoption across the construction industry.
Feature Stories
Family First: ABC’s 2026 National Chair Thomas Murphy
Long before he was “Murph” at Associated Builders and Contractors, Thomas Murphy was the fourth of five siblings growing up in Buffalo, New York. Close to his family then—and now—Murphy hopes to bring that same sense of connection to ABC as its 2026 national chair. As he puts it, “ABC is all about relationships.”
Construction News
Motel Tetris: Turning a Nashville Super 8 Into Award-Winning Affordable Apartments
When is a motel not just a motel? When it’s an award-winning, adaptive-reuse construction project.
Dry Data: Zero-Water Data Center Design
Microsoft is introducing water-free cooling systems in data centers to enhance sustainability, saving 33 million gallons annually, with wider deployment expected in 2027.
Return of the Quorum: New NLRB Confirmations Secure Quorum and General Counsel
A new era is emerging for the National Labor Relations Board following a recently approved en bloc nominations package from the U.S. Senate.
Digital Transformation in Construction Management and Real-Time Operational Control
Monitor projects from conception to ribbon cutting and manage jobsite operations throughout project duration in real time.
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Business and Culture
Selective Growth: FMI’s 2026 North American Engineering & Construction Outlook
Construction activity in North America is expected to stabilize but grow modestly in 2026.
‘Start Yesterday’: Time Sensitive Succession Planning in Construction
Contractors who want a successful ownership transition must start early. Strong financial management, clean records and strategic planning can increase company value, reduce risk and ensure a smoother succession—whether transferring ownership to family, employees or outside buyers.
Wiring the AI Economy: Construction Spending on Data Centers
Explosive growth in data center construction is straining labor markets, reshaping policy debates and accelerating technology adoption across the construction industry.
Prove It: What Surety Underwriters Seek in Contractors
Surety underwriters are backing disciplined contractors with strong finances, capable leadership and clear growth strategies. Learn new strategies for the key factors—capital, capacity and character—that determine bonding support as project sizes grow and industry risks evolve.
Industrial Canvas: Turning Hard Hats Into Artwork
Detroit-based commercial contractor Sachse Construction is bringing together builders, makers and artists with its annual art auction as part of its mission to improve both workforce development and the lives of Detroit youth.
ABC Supports Trump Administration’s Critical Improvements to Apprenticeship Programs
“ABC strongly supports the DOL’s bold new approach to addressing longstanding concerns with registered apprenticeship programs.”
Construction Loses 11,000 Jobs in February
On a year-over-year basis, industry employment has grown by 42,000 jobs, but it lost 11,000 in February.
Mentoring the Future of the Engineering Workforce
Whether structured or unstructured, there aren’t enough mentor-mentee programs for budding construction professionals, but that’s changing.
Construction Backlog Indicator Rebounds in February, Contractor Confidence Grows
After a downward start to the year due to construction job losses and materials price increases, contractor confidence and backlog is back up.
Willmar Electric Service’s David Chapin
Nearly a decade since his tenure as ABC National Chair, what is David Chapin doing?
A Beacon of Hope: Joseph Groh Foundation’s Newest Grant Recipient
The Joseph Groh Foundation announced its most recent grant recipient: Stanley Bray.
Earth Benders: R.J. Zavoral and Sons Inc. on Their History of Moving the Midwest
Minnesota-based contractor R.J. Zavoral and Sons isn’t just breaking ground—they’re moving it. And they’ve been doing so for nearly 75 years.
Legal
How Mobile Tools Are Capturing Safety Data on Jobsites
Forward-thinking companies are using data and leading indicators to identify risks before incidents happen.
Where, When, How: Analyzing 2025 Construction Safety Incidents
Is 9:00 A.M. the new midnight? Report reveals why it’s a dangerous time on construction jobsites.
Hiring Is a Safety Practice: Building a Culture That Starts With Your People
When your construction safety culture isn’t working, screen and screen again.
Recognize and Respond: Narcan Training to Combat Opioid Overdose in Construction
Skanska hosted Be Well Texas for a workshop on how to recognize the symptoms of opioid overdose and administer life-saving Narcan.
High-Risk Construction Projects Demand Specialized Insurance
Today’s construction projects are riskier than ever and often not covered by traditional insurance.
Wildfires, Silica Exposures and ESG-Friendly Solutions
Wildfires can carry along with them hidden dangers lurking in their smoke that may pose a risk to your workforce.
How Insurers Lead the Way for Power Generation and Electrical Distribution Projects
As energy solutions grow, so do energy storage needs and the demand on the power grid. Insurers have to evolve with the infrastructure.
Your Crisis Communication Guide: Anticipating Construction Plans to Hit Unexpected Obstacles
The time for crisis planning is during quiet moments when clear thinking can help build a framework for handling whatever challenges arise.
Supreme Court Rules Tariffs Unconstitutional: Why the Construction Industry Shouldn’t Expect Calm Just Yet
The wake of a recent Supreme Court ruling denoting the Trump tariffs unconstitutional poses many possibilities for construction.
Government Shutdown Puts Added Burdens on Federal Contractors
It has officially been two weeks since the government shut down, and federal contractors are feeling it.
Government Shutdown Day Nine: What Contractors Need to Know
An excerpt from ABC’s Beltway Blueprint let’s contractors know where they stand amidst the ongoing government shutdown.
Permitting America to Build
The White House and Congress are advancing permitting reforms aimed at increasing certainty and reducing delays for project owners and contractors.
Tools
Power, People, Parts: Supply and Demand on Data Center Jobsites
Data center projects require a lot of support: a power supply, a steady workforce and proper materials.
More Construction Companies Are Building a Technology-Focused C-Suite
As construction and technology become enmeshed, companies are creating roles dedicated to technology.
Executive Insights 2026: Leaders in Construction Technology I
Leaders in construction technology answer questions from adopting new technology to navigating workflow concerns and more.
Heads or Tails: Deloitte’s 2026 Construction Industry Outlook
A new report from Deloitte, “2026 Engineering and Construction Industry Outlook,” identifies significant headwinds facing the industry in 2026.
Heads or Tails: Deloitte’s 2026 Construction Industry Outlook
A new report from Deloitte, “2026 Engineering and Construction Industry Outlook,” identifies significant headwinds facing the industry in 2026.
Tariffed Construction Materials Prices Rise in May
The tariffs are taking effect—and materials prices are reflecting that.
The Future of Fire Protection in EV Battery Facilities
As more and more EV-battery manufacturing facilities begin to operate in the United States, it’s important that those who build the facilities know how to fire-proof them.
Combating Construction Carbon: How Heavy Machinery Can Further Sustainability
Contractors must act now to build the new cities of tomorrow without relying on the building practices of yesterday. Decarbonizing off-highway machines such as excavators will play a critical role.
Powering Up: How Sentry Equipment Has Lasted 100 Years in Manufacturing and What It Has Planned for 100 More
Never tell Sentry Equipment the odds—the 100-year-old manufacturer is breaking into new sectors, buying into new tech and building itself up on a base of old-world values.
Nonresidential Construction Spending Remained Stagnant in October
On a monthly basis, nonresidential spending was up in 9 of 16 categories, but still lacks momentum overall.
Construction Backlog Indicator Inches Higher in December, Fueled by Data Center Momentum
Two weeks into the new year and data centers are still bolstering backlogs.
MLK Way: Reshoring Philadelphia’s Famous Bridge
The 700-foot Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. Bridge in Philadelphia gets a $20.1-million reno.
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Latest Issue
Recent and Upcoming Webinars
The Construction Jobsite of the Future
Hear from leaders in construction and technology on how global trends, workforce evolution and emerging innovations are converging to reshape the industry. This session will provide a global forward-looking perspective on what’s ahead and how companies can prepare to stay competitive with the leading voices from construction, innovation, technology and the association perspective.
AI and Automation in the Construction Industry
This webinar will explain how top firms embrace AI and automation and what this means for their future. Whether you’re just starting to use AI and automation or looking to expand on your firm’s edge, this session is packed with insights to help your construction business innovate and thrive.
Effectively Managing Subcontractors in an Evolving Landscape
Learn the key pain points of construction finance professionals and how they are solving them through technology adoption. Understand the process for selecting the best software and what the proper steps are implanting and training your finance staff and subcontractors.
Construction Executive’s 2026 Construction Economic Update and Forecast
Join ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu on Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. ET (11 a.m. PT) for the 2026 Construction Economic Update and Forecast.
Construction Executive’s 2026 Q1 Construction Economic Update and Forecast
Join ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu on April 8 at 2 p.m. ET (11 a.m. PT) for the 2026 Construction Economic Update and Forecast.
Unlocking Profit Potential: A Masterclass in Construction Work in Progress
This deep dive into work-in-progress reporting is designed to help you maximize profits and gain better control over ongoing projects. Learn best practices to track WIP accurately and avoid common pitfalls that can impact your bottom line.
Rethinking Job and Cash Forecasting in Construction Finance
In today’s volatile construction market, weak job and cash forecasting has become a business risk—impacting margins, liquidity, and lender confidence. Join Dodge Construction Network’s Sarah Martin and Western Allied Mechanical’s Ally Tinebra for a practical, playbook-driven session on strengthening forecast accuracy, improving visibility, and building more resilient financial performance.