Assorted Numbers
60,000 landscape management positions expected to be added in 2016. -Source: National Association of Landscape Professionals Foundation

86% of construction companies in 2015 report having trouble finding qualified craft workers – a 3% increase from 2014. -Source: Associated General Contractors of America

3% decline in construction material prices in July year over year. -Source: Associated General Contractors of America

6.5% expected growth in cement consumption in 2016. -Source: Portland Cement Association

62 - The highest reading since Oct. 2005 of the Housing Market Index, which measures builder confidence for newly constructed single-family homes. -Source: National Association of Home Builders

2.3 million - The number of American jobs in the green building sector in 2015. -Source: U.S. Green Building Council

Groundwork
Architecture billing index: 49.1, down from 54.7 in July
New projects inquiry index: 61.8, down from 63.7 in July (July-to-August)
Source: American Institute of Architects

Regional Averages - Architecture Billing Index - Source: American Institute of Architects
Midwest: 56.1, down from 58.2
Northeast: 46.8, down from 53.5
South: 53.8, down from 55.7
West: 50.2, down from 53.8

"Over the past several years, a period of sustained growth in billings has been followed by a temporary step backwards. The fact that project inquiries and new design contracts continue to grow at a healthy pace suggests that this should not be a cause for concern throughout the design and construction industry." -Kermit Baker, chief economist for the American Institute of Architects

Construction - Permits
(July to August 2015)
Single-family: 2.8%
Multi-family: 4.3%
Combined total: 3.5%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau

(Year-to-year)
Single-family: 14.9%
Multi-family: 24.5%
Combined total: 16.6%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Regional Breakdowns - Source: U.S. Census Bureau
(Single-family only)
Midwest: –2.8%
Northeast: 5.7%
South: 2.7%
West: 5.8%

(Multi- and single-family)
Midwest: 2.9%
Northeast: -4.4%
South: 2.4%
West: 9.6%
(July to August 2015)