Trendlines Statewide Monthly Construction Data-March 2024

Concrete Volumes See Slight Uptick in December

Data recently released by the United States Geological Service shows 128,204 tons of cement were shipped to the state in December 2023. The tonnage is .6 % higher than December 2022 but a drop from November 2023 tonnage. A strong fall allowed cement tonnage for the year to narrowly surpass shipments in 2022. Please note, we have updated our report for 2022 and a couple of months in 2023 based on changes in USGS data since its original publication. We will continue to monitor the data to identify any other updates.

Looking to ready mix volumes, we estimate 474,739 cubic yards of concrete were placed during the month.

A look at the February AIA Billing Index shows the commercial market might finally be coming off the bottom. Billings rose from 46.2 to 49.5 in the most recent report showing increased activity in the sector. Any number below 50 is considered negative but the report might be a sign of stabilization after months of contraction. Looking to the Home Builder Index for March, the report shows sentiment crossed 50 for the first time in 6 months. Like the AIA billing index, a number above 50 forecasts anticipated growth in the market. The number has grown 14 points since the December low of 37.