In the state of Texas, the timber industry continues to expand its economic impact. Continued contributions in homebuilding activity and production alongside new developments of forest management innovate the industry. Coupled with the usage of mass timber in place of concrete or steel, reinvestments and mill expansions surge confidence within Texas’ timber industry while housing markets slow down nationally. Facing such a shift, the state has adapted and continues to be a dominant force in residential construction by tapping into increasingly appealing markets such as energy-efficient homes and multifamily buildings,…
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Construction Employment: A Tale of Two Cities
The U.S. construction industry has seen uneven growth, with employment rising in half of metro areas but stalling in others due to policy uncertainty and a shortage of skilled labor. While some regions, like Arlington and Boise, gained jobs thanks to strong investment and infrastructure demand, others, such as Riverside and New York, saw declines. Experts attribute the downturn to labor shortages and unclear federal policies, urging greater support for career and technical education to stabilize the workforce and then Emerald. Read More
Read MoreThe State of the Nation’s Housing 2025
The Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies’ State of the Nation’s Housing 2025 report highlights mounting affordability pressures as high home prices, rising interest rates, insurance premiums and rents push home sales to a 30‑year low and burden a record number of households, particularly renters, with excessive housing costs. Despite a surge in multifamily development and inventory growth, supply remains misaligned with need, favoring higher-cost units while lower-rent stock continues to decline. Read More
Read MoreConstruction Jobs Growth Hides Underlying Turmoil
Construction job growth has slowed sharply in 2025, averaging just over 5,000 new jobs per month from March to May—down significantly from late 2024. Residential sub-trades have been hit hardest, losing 22,000 jobs and shrinking the workforce by 2% since September 2024. Despite the slowdown, construction workers continue to earn a 24% weekly pay premium over the private sector, driven by higher hourly wages and longer work hours. Read More
Read More2025 ASID Economic Outlook Report
The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) has released its 2025 Economic Outlook report, highlighting how tariffs, rising costs, and labor shortages are creating an uneven recovery for the design industry. While moderate consumer spending and employment growth offer some stability, persistent challenges like paused infrastructure projects and high housing prices demand that designers remain agile and forward-thinking. The report identifies new opportunities in sectors such as adaptive reuse, build-to-rent housing, and aging-in-place design, offering data-driven insights to help interior designers navigate and grow in a shifting economic landscape. Read…
Read MoreBusiness Roundtable Launches New Workforce Initiative
The Business Roundtable has launched a Skilled Trades Initiative to address U.S. labor shortages by promoting careers in high-demand fields like construction, manufacturing, maintenance and energy. Spearheaded by CEOs such as Marvin Ellison (Lowe’s) and David Gitlin (Carrier), the program partners with companies, experts and nonprofits to create resources, training, and tools aimed at strengthening the industrial and construction workforce. Read More
Read MoreHBA Celebrates Largest Graduating Class
On May 1st, 2025, the Builders Association of North Central Florida celebrated the graduation of more than 50 apprentices representing HVAC, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, building maintenance, and plumbing According to the NAHB, ““Our apprentices worked incredibly hard to reach this point, and their success directly strengthens our local construction industry,” said Sara Emmanuel, executive officer of BANCF. “They’ve balanced work and education, and this graduation is a recognition of their dedication, growth, and the value they bring to their employers and our community every day.” Read More
Read MoreHome Depot says tariffs may make some items unavailable
Home Depot announced it will maintain current pricing despite new U.S. tariffs, aiming to avoid passing increased costs onto consumers. However, some products may be discontinued if the added import costs make them unprofitable to stock. The company is mitigating tariff impacts by diversifying its supply chain, reducing reliance on Chinese imports, and sourcing more from North America. In the first quarter, Home Depot reported net sales of $39.86 billion, surpassing estimates, and maintained its 2025 sales growth forecast at 2.8%. Read More
Read MoreFed Unlikely to Cut Rates for Foreseeable Future
Mortgage rates will remain the same in April, according to inflation data. Persistent tariff-induced inflation pressures suggest that the Federal Reserve will likely pause any rate cuts in the future. There is a significant reduction in U.S.–China tariffs—from 145% to 30% on Chinese imports and 125% to 10% on U.S. goods. Recession risks have diminished, leading to a more optimistic economic outlook. However, inflation concerns persist due to elevated tariff levels, which remain substantially higher than pre-2025 rates, suggesting that the Federal Reserve may delay anticipated rate cuts. According to…
Read MoreThe Homes Americans are Buying are Older Than Ever
The average age of a house in the U.S. is 36 years old, and in 2024, many people leaned towards purchasing an older home. There are two main reasons: lack of new supply and affordability. Over the past two decades, housing construction has significantly slowed, particularly in the East Coast and Rust Belt regions, leading to a median age of sold homes exceeding 60 years in cities like New York, Pittsburgh, and Cleveland. Older homes are more affordable and often sell for 15% less than the median price of all…
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