ABC, along with a coalition of business groups, filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn the rule Sept. 20 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. ABC also contested the provision of the rule that requires automatic updating of the threshold when announcing its lawsuit.

Growth will continue to be led by privately financed projects, with commercial construction continuing to lead the way. Energy-related construction will become less of a drag in 2017, while public spending will continue to be lackluster.

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) forecasts the U.S. commercial and industrial construction industries will continue their steady economic recovery in 2016.

The Merit Shop Scorecard grades states on project labor agreement (PLA), prevailing wage, and right-to-work policies, as well as their construction job growth rate, commitment to developing a well-trained workforce, level of flexibility in career and technical education curricula, and use of public-private partnerships (P3s).

ABC chief economist Anirban Basu, AIA chief economist Kermit Baker, and NAHB chief economist David Crowe predicted continued construction industry growth in 2016 during a joint economic Web forecast.

The FAR Council will allow public comments on the proposed rule for 60 days. A final rule will be published and implemented after public comments have been reviewed.

Gold, silver, and bronze medalists were named in 15 National Craft Championships competitions. In addition, safety awards were presented to one competitor in each craft for their best-in-class safety practices.

Real gross domestic product (GDP) expanded 2.6 percent (seasonally adjusted annual rate) during the fourth quarter of 2014, following a 5 percent increase in the third quarter, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Investment in nonresidential structures increased 2.6 percent.