FILE - In this Jan. 27, 2014 file photo, Shelby Whitledge, an electrician with Beltline Electric company, works on electrical data in the lobby of the downtown Owensboro Convention Center in Owensboro, Ky. The Commerce Department reports on U.S. construction spending in January on Monday, March 3, 2014. (AP Photo/ Messenger-Inquirer, Jenny Sevcik)
March 03, 2014 - 7:29 AM
WASHINGTON - U.S. construction spending showed a tiny increase in January as strength in housing helped to offset declines in nonresidential building and government projects.
The Commerce Department says construction spending edged up 0.1 per cent in January, significantly slower than an upwardly revised 1.5 per cent gain in December.
Home building was up 1.1 per cent in January with single-family construction rising 2.3 per cent and apartment building up 1 per cent.
However, there was widespread weakness outside of housing. Non-residential construction fell 0.2 per cent and office building was flat, with bad weather likely a factor in the weakness.
Total government construction was down 0.8 per cent in January compared with December.
Construction spending totalled $943.1 billion in January at a seasonally adjusted annual rate.
News from © The Associated Press, 2014