Economist: Future looks bright for Milwaukee remodeling industry

Wis. among 10 worst states for construction job losses

Published: August 17, 2012
Tags: AGC, jobs, Ken Simonson, Labor Department

Wisconsin ranked among the 10 worst states in percentage of construction jobs lost in the last year, according to a new report.

Construction jobless rate lowest in 4 years

Published: August 14, 2012
Tags: AGC, Associated General Contractors, jobs, Ken Simonson, unemployment

The construction industry lost 1,000 jobs in July even though the its unemployment rate fell to its lowest level since 2008, according to analysis of new federal data by the Associated General Contractors of America.

Report: 10,000 construction jobs lost in Wisconsin

Published: July 24, 2012
Tags: AGC, Associated General Contractors, jobs, Ken Simonson

A new report says Wisconsin lost more than 10,000 construction jobs in the last year.

Deadline looms for Brown Deer streetscape project

Published: May 25, 2012
Tags: 42nd Street, Advance Construction, AGC, eminent domain, Glenn Joski, John Fuchs, Ken Simonson, Kevin Traas, Lee Balisterri, Nate Piotrowski, North Deerwood Drive, streetscape, West River Lane, West Ruth Place, Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association, WTBA

If a national prediction holds true, a lawsuit between Brown Deer and 12 residents actually might save the village money on a $2.3 million streetscape project.

Firm turns drywall supply, demand on its head

Published: October 25, 2011
Tags: AGC, Appleton Lathing, Associated General Contractors, Associated General Contractors of America, Bob Fleming, CertainTeed Gypsum, Craig Weisbruch, Drywall, Eagle Materials, Fleming Building Products, Jeff Beiriger, Ken Simonson, Michael Winghart, National Gypsum Properties, Wisconsin Roofing Contractors Association

A national drywall manufacturer is bucking the economic principle that prices go up to match increased demand.

The good side of the recession: Industry’s fatality numbers drop

Published: August 26, 2011
Tags: AGC, Associated General Contractors of America, Associated General Contractors of Greater Milwaukee, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Dan Burazin, Department of Labor, fatalities, Ken Simonson, recession, safety, Schilleman, The Boldt Co., work place safety

The recession saved lives in the construction industry.

The new American dream: Write a rent check

Published: May 24, 2011
Tags: AGC, apartments, Associated General Contractors of America, Case-Shiller home price index, CoStar Group, John McIlwain, Ken Simonson, Murphy Development, Patrick Murphy, rentals, Urban Land Institute

By James Briggs and Derek Kravitz The Daily Reporter and Associated Press Building and owning rental properties is bumping homeownership from center stage in the American dream. A growing number of Americans can’t afford a home or don’t want to own one, a trend that’s spawning a generation of renters and an increase in apartment [...]

State loses 1,700 more construction jobs

Published: May 23, 2011
Tags: Charter Street Heating Plant, jobs, John Hale, Kathy Kirst, Ken Simonson, The Boldt Co., University of Wisconsin System, UW System

By James Briggs Wisconsin’s construction market is on uneven ground right now, where some companies are finding opportunities to grow, while others are standing still or slipping back. Showing promise is The Boldt Co., Appleton, which increased its Madison office space and added two employees of late. The company has secured several major University of [...]

Contractors hesitant to clear benches

Published: April 25, 2011
Tags: AGC, Associated General Contractors of America, Bill Jackson, contractors, Engineered Construction, Howard Immel, Ken Simonson, Martzke

By James Briggs Wisconsin‘s construction companies remain hesitant to hire new workers, even as many contractors report an increase in work. Verona-based Engineered Construction Inc., for example, is ready to build a 12,600-square-foot shopping plaza in Madison. The strip mall reached 100 percent capacity — or 25 letters of intent — before the first shovel [...]