The National Federation of Independent Business reported today their NFIB Small Business Optimism Index (SBOI) for May. According to the report, the May SBOI fell below the 48-year average reading of 98 for the fifth consecutive month to a reading in May of 93.1. That is -0.1 points below the April reading and a new record low for the index.
Wood Markets News
Canadian Investment in Building Construction Up 2.7% in April 2022
Statistics Canada reported today that investment in building construction rose by 2.7% to $20.9 billion (CAD) in April. Increases were reported in both residential, up 3.2%, and non-residential, up 1.4%. On a constant dollar basis (2012=100), investment in build construction grew 3.5% to $13.0 billion.
USDA Announces Southern Region Wood Innovations and Community Wood Grants Recipients
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced on Friday more than $32 million to fund the 2022 Wood Innovations and Community Wood Grants. These grants hope to expand the use of wood products, expand emerging wood markets, and support active management that will improve forest health and resiliency.
Wood Engineering Technology Reports Construction of Their Second Production Line Is Advancing
Originally announced in June of 2021, work to build the second production line at the state-of-the-art Wood Engineering Technology at Matawhero, New Zealand is advancing. “The building to house all the production equipment is 40 percent complete, and we are starting the installation of the plant equipment over the coming few weeks.”
Canada’s First Office Building Constructed From Cross-Laminated Timber Welcomes New Tenants
On Friday (6-10-22), Natural Resources Canada announced the official occupancy of oN5, located in downtown Vancouver. oN5 is the first office building in Canada constructed using high-performance cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels. The top three stories of this four-story office building are constructed completely out of CLT.
Homebuyer Budgets Flatten—Slowest Rate of Growth Since June 2020
According to new analysis from Redfin, the Seattle-based, technology-powered real estate brokerage firm, homebuyer budgets are essentially flat from last year, up only 0.3% year-over-year in for the 3-month period ending April 30, 2022. That is slowest rate of growth since June of 2020.
U.S. National Interagency Fire Center Wildfire Update for June 13, 2022, Shows Wildfire Danger Remains High
The U.S. National Interagency Fire Center reported on Monday that 5 large new fires were reported yesterday, 2 each in Alaska and Arizona and 1 in California. That increases the total number of wildfires currently burning throughout the U.S. to 33, with more than 1,089,844 acres in five states now burning.
Boise Cascade Announces Agreement to Acquire Coastal Plywood Company
Boise Cascade Company, a leading producer of engineered wood products and plywood in North America, announced today that it has reached an agreement to acquire Coastal Plywood Company, including its two manufacturing facilities, from Coastal Forest Resources Company for $512 million.
Number of Construction Workers Must Increase to Keep Up With Current Building Sector Demand
In the latest report from the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit Home Builders Institute (HBI), the number of construction workers needed to keep up with the current building sector demand is approximately 740,000 per year. The HBI estimates the industry will need more than 61,000 net hires a month to fill vacant positions.
Consumer Price Index Increases 1.0% Month-Over-Month and 8.6% Year-Over-Year in May 2022
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Friday that the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers increased 1.0% in May on a seasonally adjusted basis. This follows increases of 0.3% in April, 1.2% in March, and 0.8% in February. Over the past 12 months, the all-item index has increased 8.6% before seasonal adjustment.