Contracting for new construction rose 5% in...

Contracting for new construction rose 5% in August to a record $268.3 billion on an annual basis, bolstered by continued strong building activity in the Northeast and North Central regions, the F. W. Dodge Division of McGraw-Hill Information Systems said. Calling August a “standout month,” the study said public works and utilities posted the biggest gains in newly started construction. This non-building category jumped 15% in August to $53.8 billion on an annual basis. The study said much of that gain was attributable to two “jumbo” projects, a $400-million waste processing facility and a $330-million co-generation plant.