Construction starts mixed in July, Reed says; pay gains shrink; costs vary

The value of nonresidential construction starts in July dropped 9 percent compared with July 2009, Reed ConstructionData reported on Thursday [Aug. 12]. Year-to-date starts for the first seven months of 2010 combined rose 8 percent from January-July 2009. Nonresidential building construction declined 14 percent July-to-July but rose 5 percent year-to-date, while heavy construction fell 1 percent and rose 12 percent, respectively, according to an Aug. 13 Data DIGest report.