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56 • FEBRUARY 2014 • WORLD FENCE NEWS See Us At And METALfab2014 The Dodge Report November construction retreats 11 percent NEW YORK, N.Y. — At a sea- Index had averaged 105, as it hovered sonally adjusted annual rate of $524.8 within the fairly narrow range of 100 billion, new construction starts in No- to 108. While November showed a devember fell 11% from the previous cline from the prior two months, the month, according to McGraw Hill level of activity was still above what Construction, a division of McGraw had been reported earlier in the year. Hill Financial. The downturn followed "The monthly construction start heightened activity in October, which statistics will often show an up-andshowed the strongest pace for con- down pattern, given the amount of struction starts so far during 2013. large projects that are included in any Both nonresidential building and given month," stated Robert A. Murnonbuilding ray, chief econc o n s t r u c t i o n "For 2014, the upward trend for omist for pulled back McGraw Hill total construction starts is from their ele- expected to continue. One plus for Construction. vated October construction and the economy "Although Noamounts. At the vember witgoing forward is the recent budget same time, resinessed a pact approved by the U.S. dential building decline from showed modest Congress, since it removes the the heightened growth in No- uncertainty that would have come activity in Sepwith the threat of another vember, contintember and Ocuing the steady government shutdown in 2014." tober, the upward trend – Robert A. Murray c o n s t r u c t i o n that's been start statistics present during most of 2013. when viewed in the context of 2013 as For the first eleven months of a whole are still trending upward. 2013, total construction starts on an "Housing during 2013 has unadjusted basis came in at $475.3 bil- strengthened on a consistent basis. Authorized Developer lion, up 6% from the same period a Nonresidential building is gaining moyear ago. If the volatile electric utility mentum, aided by improving activity category is excluded from the year-to- for commercial building from low levdate statistics, total construction starts els while the institutional building secfor the first eleven months of 2013 tor stabilizes after a lengthy decline," would be up 14%. he said. "Nonbuilding construction is Send us your cartoon ideas for Pete and Jake! November's data produced a read- weakening due to a sharply reduced We will give full editorial credit if used. ing of 111 for the Dodge Index amount of new electric utility starts, Send to: World Fence News (2000=100), compared to 125 in Oc- but its public works component has 6101 W. Courtyard Dr. • Bldg. 3, Ste. 115 Austin, Texas 78730 tober and 118 in September. For the shown surprising resilience this year. Email: editor@worldfencenews.com first eight months of 2013 the Dodge "For 2014, the upward trend for total construction starts is expected to continue. One plus for construction and the economy going forward is the recent budget pact approved by the U.S. Congress, since it removes the uncertainty that would have come with the threat of another government shutdown in early 2014," Murray said. Nonresidential building in November dropped 17% to $179.3 billion (annual rate), following its elevated activity in October. The manufacturing plant category plunged 86%, after being lifted in October by the start of three massive projects each valued in excess of $1 billion. In contrast, the largest manufac© Skidril Inc. 2013 turing-related projects reported as November starts were a $94 million Ending back breaking post pounding! biotechnology plant in North Carolina Skidril is the place for fence post pounders and equipment. 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