Construction News for the Week Ending April 24, 2026
Immigrant Labor in Construction Workforce
Immigrants comprised 26.3% of the construction workforce in 2024, with a higher concentration in residential construction. This reliance on immigrant labor, particularly in trades like drywall installation and roofing, could be problematic as immigration rates decline.
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CBP to Launch Tariff Refund Claims Portal
U.S. Customs and Border Protection will launch a claims portal to process tariff refunds, potentially totaling $166 billion. Finance leaders are advised to prepare for the complex process, ensuring documentation quality and proper accounting treatment.
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Bulley & Andrews Acquires Interior Construction Group
Chicago-based contractor Bulley & Andrews acquired Interior Construction Group, expanding its presence in the commercial real estate market. The acquisition aims to leverage ICG’s interior expertise and support B&A’s long-term growth strategy. This marks B&A’s fifth acquisition, following its purchase of Rock City Construction in 2020.
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March Construction Starts Surge 12.8%
Construction starts rebounded in March, driven by a surge in power and utilities projects, particularly in the electric power and utilities segment. This growth offset declines in highway, bridge, and environmental public works starts, resulting in a 12.8% increase in total starts compared to February.
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SCA General Contracting Fined for Wage Violations
California, must pay $468,505 in back wages and damages to 137 workers for violating minimum wage and overtime laws. The violations, including unpaid overtime and retaliation against employees, occurred between November 2024 and November 2025. Wage theft remains a significant issue in the construction industry, particularly in subcontracted projects, due to complex contracting chains and limited oversight.
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CBRE and Meta Launch LevelUp to Train Fiber Technicians
CBRE and Meta are partnering on the LevelUp initiative to train thousands of fiber technicians for data center construction in the U.S. The program aims to address the skilled labor shortage and provide long-term career opportunities in the skilled trades sector. Graduates will have the opportunity to work at Meta construction sites.
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Data Center Project Challenges
Data center projects are facing delays and cancellations due to power shortages, public opposition, and proposed legislation. Community benefits plans are becoming essential for data center builds to gain approval, as concerns grow over rising electricity costs for consumers.
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M&A Surge in Construction Industry: 2025-2026 Outlook
M&A activity in the construction industry surged in late 2025, with builders and construction technology firms acquiring competitors and smaller businesses. This trend is expected to continue into 2026.
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U.S. Opens $6.7B Rail Funding Applications
The U.S. Department of Transportation opened applications for $4.7 billion in grants for rail projects along Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor and $2 billion to modernize passenger and freight rail nationwide. This funding comes from the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Amtrak is also seeking bids to replace its aging long-distance train fleet with over 800 new rail cars.
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SCA General Contracting Fined for Wage Violations
SCA General Contracting, based in Newport Beach, California, must pay $468,505 in back wages and damages to 137 workers for violating minimum wage and overtime laws. The violations, including unpaid overtime and retaliation against employees, occurred between November 2024 and November 2025. Wage theft remains a significant issue in the construction industry, particularly in subcontracted projects, due to complex contracting chains and limited oversight.
To read more, click here.
March Construction Starts Surge in Power Sector
Construction starts rebounded in March, driven by a surge in power and utilities projects, particularly in the electric power and utilities segment. This growth offset declines in highway, bridge, and environmental public works starts.
To read more, click here.
Norfolk Airport’s $1 Billion Modernization
Norfolk International Airport’s $1 billion TransformORF program, its largest modernization since 1974, includes a new three-gate expansion in Concourse A, new concessions, and a recently upgraded Federal Inspection Services facility. The project, which serves 5 million passengers annually, also involves roadway realignments and a future consolidated rental car facility.
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Proposed Rule for Joint Employer Status
The U.S. Department of Labor proposed a rule to streamline joint employer status under the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act. The rule aims to create a single nationwide standard for joint employment, providing clarity for both employees and employers. The public can submit comments on the proposed rule for 60 days.
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Data Center Project Challenges
Data center projects are facing delays and cancellations due to power shortages, public opposition, and proposed legislation. The increasing size of data centers, often exceeding 1,000 megawatts, exacerbates power access issues and drives up costs. Even when projects secure land and fiber access, securing a firm power delivery timeline remains a significant challenge, impacting project timelines and contractor willingness to participate.
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M&A Surge in Construction Industry: 2025-2026 Outlook
M&A activity in the construction industry surged in late 2025, with builders and construction technology firms acquiring competitors and smaller businesses. This trend is expected to continue into 2026.
To read more, click here.
