Construction up in metro Atlanta

Construction in metro Atlanta is up for the year, according to McGraw-Hill Construction of New York, which tracks contracts.

For 2011 year to date, nonresidential construction was $2.4 billion, up 21 percent  from last year's $2 billion in the 28-county region.

The company says residential construction was $1.4 billion in 2011,  compared to $1.2 billion last year, a 15 percent increase.