flexiblefullpage -
billboard - default
interstitial1 - interstitial
catfish1 - bottom
Currently Reading

Reed Expansion Index predicts widespread economic improvement for the year

Reed Expansion Index predicts widespread economic improvement for the year

Index shows expanding construction potential in 41 states plus the District of Columbia. 


By Reed Construction Data | January 24, 2014
Multiple factors are driving a positive prediction for commercial construction in 2014. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Reed Construction Data announced its December Expansion Index stood at 1.48, indicating overall construction in the United States is expected to grow over the next 12 months.

“The positive signs of growth are encouraging and align with other economic data,” said Bernard Markstein, U.S. Chief Economist, Reed Construction Data. “With an Expansion Index greater than 1 in 41 states plus the District of Columbia, the expected improvement in construction appears widespread across the country.” The top five states expected to see an expanding construction market: North Dakota, Rhode Island, Montana, Virginia, Utah.

The Expansion Index is a monthly measure of expectations for the construction marketplace over the upcoming 12-18 months, based on the value of projects in the planning pipeline. A reading greater than 1 indicates construction volume is expected to expand.

In addition to an overall measure of U.S. construction, Reed uses the Expansion Index to track expected construction volume for every state and more than 360 Metropolitan Statistical Areas.

According to Markstein, multiple factors are supporting the positive signal.

“Many pieces are falling into place for a moderately faster-growing economy,” stated Markstein. “Companies are experiencing rising demand. A federal budget deal was signed into law. Residential construction continues to improve. Europe is slowly working its way out of recession. These and other positives mean the Reed Expansion Index is likely to remain well above 1 for several months–an indication that construction activity will rise throughout the year.”

The Expansion Index is a ratio of the value of projects in the planning phase over the value of the projects estimated to be still under construction in a defined geography and/or building segment. The relationship says if more in the pipeline than underway, the volume will increase in the future if that ratio is greater than 1. The data covered includes non-residential and multifamily residential construction.

To view the Expansion Index, visit www.reedconstructiondata.com/market-intelligence/expansion-index.

20 Fastest-growing MSAs
MSA EI rating
Duluth, MN-WI
Durham, NC
El Centro, CA
Evansville, IN-KY
Flagstaff, AZ
Flint, MI
Grand Forks, ND-MN
Greenville, NC
Laredo, TX
Logan, UT-ID
Missoula, MT
Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI
Providence-New Bedford-Fall River, RI-MA
Salem, OR
Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Clarksville, TN-KY
VA Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
Columbia, MO
Baton Rouge, LA
Greensboro-High Point, NC
  >10
  >10
  >10
  >10
  >10
  >10
  >10
  >10
  >10
  >10
  >10
  >10
  >10
  >10
  >10
      9.56
      7.75
      7.67
      6.91
      6.77

 

About Reed Construction Data

Reed Construction Data is a trusted source for detailed, accurate, and up-to-date information on private and public construction projects across the United States and Canada. Reed’s data collection teams leverage strong industry relationships, innovative technology, and third-party data sources to deliver timely and accurate information on projects, companies, and contacts and daily updates for all types of general and civil construction. For more information, visit www.reedconstructiondata.com.

Related Stories

Industrial Facilities | Apr 9, 2024

Confessions of a cold storage architect

Designing energy-efficient cold storage facilities that keep food safe and look beautiful takes special knowledge.

Cultural Facilities | Apr 8, 2024

Multipurpose sports facility will be first completed building at Obama Presidential Center

When it opens in late 2025, the Home Court will be the first completed space on the Obama Presidential Center campus in Chicago. Located on the southwest corner of the 19.3-acre Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park, the Home Court will be the largest gathering space on the campus. Renderings recently have been released of the 45,000-sf multipurpose sports facility and events space designed by Moody Nolan.

Green | Apr 8, 2024

LEED v5 released for public comment

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has opened the first public comment period for the first draft of LEED v5. The new version of the LEED green building rating system will drive deep decarbonization, quality of life improvements, and ecological conservation and restoration, USGBC says. 

Codes and Standards | Apr 8, 2024

Boston’s plans to hold back rising seawater stall amid real estate slowdown

Boston has placed significant aspects of its plan to protect the city from rising sea levels on the actions of private developers. Amid a post-Covid commercial development slump, though, efforts to build protective infrastructure have stalled.

Sustainability | Apr 8, 2024

3 sustainable design decisions to make early

In her experience as an architect, Megan Valentine AIA, LEED AP, NCARB, WELL AP, Fitwel, Director of Sustainability, KTGY has found three impactful sustainable design decisions: site selection, massing and orientation, and proper window-to-wall ratios.

Brick and Masonry | Apr 4, 2024

Best in brick buildings: 9 projects take top honors in the Brick in Architecture Awards

The Ace Hotel Toronto, designed by Shim-Sutcliffe Architects, and the TCU Music Center by Bora Architecture & Interiors are among nine "Best in Class" winners and 44 overall winners in the Brick Industry Association's 2023 Brick in Architecture Awards.

Retail Centers | Apr 4, 2024

Retail design trends: Consumers are looking for wellness in where they shop

Consumers are making lifestyle choices with wellness in mind, which ignites in them a feeling of purpose and a sense of motivation. That’s the conclusion that the architecture and design firm MG2 draws from a survey of 1,182 U.S. adult consumers the firm conducted last December about retail design and what consumers want in healthier shopping experiences.

Healthcare Facilities | Apr 3, 2024

Foster + Partners, CannonDesign unveil design for Mayo Clinic campus expansion

A redesign of the Mayo Clinic’s downtown campus in Rochester, Minn., centers around two new clinical high-rise buildings. The two nine-story structures will reach a height of 221 feet, with the potential to expand to 420 feet.

Sports and Recreational Facilities | Apr 2, 2024

How university rec centers are evolving to support wellbeing

In a LinkedIn Live, Recreation & Wellbeing’s Sadat Khan and Abby Diehl joined HOK architect Emily Ostertag to discuss the growing trend to design and program rec centers to support mental wellbeing and holistic health.

Architects | Apr 2, 2024

AE Works announces strategic acquisition of WTW Architects

AE Works, an award-winning building design and consulting firm is excited to announce that WTW Architects, a national leader in higher education design, has joined the firm.

boombox1 - default
boombox2 -
native1 -

More In Category




halfpage1 -

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021