Construction forecast up next year

FMI a North Carolina construction industry consulting firm, forecasts that construction will grow at 2 percent in 2011 and 6 percent in 2012 to $886.2 billion.

Hard-hit residential markets will start to improve, especially multi-family construction, which is becoming more desirable as banks continue to tighten financing requirements and homeowners are still reeling from the fears of foreclosure, the report says. Lodging, office and commercial construction will continue to struggle until more Americans have good jobs.

--Christopher Quinn