Construction Keeps Hiring as the Economy Slows
08/12/2026
The July jobs report carried a signal every Texas contractor should read. The overall U.S. economy lost jobs, but construction kept hiring, adding 22,000
Notes from the Field
Market updates, material availability, and Texas construction intel. Published weekly for contractors.
The July jobs report carried a signal every Texas contractor should read. The overall U.S. economy lost jobs, but construction kept hiring, adding 22,000
Texas data centers have been treated as an endless source of sitework, so a pause this month is worth a contractor’s attention. The state
Texas cement demand is cooling in 2026, which may surprise contractors who keep hearing that cement is scarce. The American Cement Association projects U.S.
Diesel bottomed in early July then rebounded to $5.13 by July 20. What the reversal means for Texas haul budgets and delivered material cost.
JPS Health Network is building a $2.5B hospital program in Fort Worth, including a $300M utility plant. What it means for Tarrant County demand.
Freight spot rates are hitting multi-year highs as truck capacity tightens. What rising haul costs mean for aggregate delivery in DFW and Central Texas.
A temporary import surcharge ends July 24 as aggregate costs climb. What Texas contractors should lock into bids before the pricing shift hits.
Martin Marietta’s $13.5B Lhoist deal reshapes Texas limestone supply. What DFW and Central Texas contractors should watch on pricing and sourcing.
AGC 2026 Hiring Outlook: 62% fear slowdown, 57% can’t find workers, 53% cite materials costs. What those numbers mean for Texas contractors this summer.
ABC CBI hit 8.6 months in March 2026, up from 8.2 in December. Data centers at 10.6 months. What a growing backlog means for Texas aggregate sourcing.
BLS May PPI confirmed diesel producer prices rose 106% year-over-year. What it means for Texas delivered aggregate costs and why current quotes matter now.
BLS May PPI: construction inputs rose 8.4% year-over-year, largest since Nov 2022. Bid prices rose 3.5%. What that widening gap means for Texas contractors.
Market Intelligence
Market updates, material availability, and Texas construction intel. Published weekly for contractors.