Construction spending in November increases from October and year ago

Total construction spending increased in November compared to levels in October and a year earlier, as gains in private residential and nonresidential projects outweighed decreases in public outlays, according to a new analysis of federal construction spending data the Associated General Contractors of America released today. Officials noted that public sector investments were down in part because Congress has failed to provide funding so far for the Bipartisan Infrastructure bill enacted last year.

“Private nonresidential spending appears to be on a solid upswing, with five consecutive months of growth, but public outlays for construction remain erratic,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “The public side isn’t likely to post steady gains until funds from the new infrastructure law become available and turn into actual projects.”

Construction spending in November totaled $1.63 trillion at a seasonally adjusted annual rate, 0.4% above the October rate and 9.3% higher than in November 2020. Year-to-date spending in the first 11 months of 2021 combined increased 7.9% from the total for January-November 2020.

Private construction spending rose 0.6% in November from the October total and 12.5% from November 2020. In contrast, public construction spending slipped 0.2% for the month and 0.9% year-over-year.

There were gains in both residential and nonresidential private construction. Spending on new single- and multifamily residential projects, along with additions and renovations to existing houses, increased 0.9% for the month and 16.3% from a year earlier. Private nonresidential spending edged up 0.1% from October and 6.7% from November 2020. The largest private nonresidential segment, power construction, rose 0.1% for the month and 7.5% year-over-year. Among other large segments, commercial construction--comprising warehouse, retail, and farm structures--dipped 0.1% in November but jumped 15.1% year-over-year. Manufacturing construction increased for the 11th month in a row, by 0.9%, putting the total 22.4% above the year-earlier level.

The largest public categories posted mixed results. Highway and street construction slid 0.8% from October but rose 0.2% compared to November 2020. Educational construction climbed 0.3% for the month but declined 6.3% year-over-year. Transportation spending fell 0.5% in November but rose 0.7% from the year-earlier total.

Association officials said that public construction spending likely suffered from the fact Congress has not yet allocated the additional funds that were authorized in the Bipartisan Infrastructure bill that the President signed into law last year. As a result, the economic benefits from that measure will be delayed for at least a few months until Congress passes a new spending bill.

“Construction demand is definitely being impacted by Congress’ failure to include the funding increases it promised as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure bill,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer.