Research

New construction for single-family homes and multi-family units is leveling off in some parts of the country and, in some areas, even rising. The cities experiencing growth are ones that weathered a mild recession, according to U.S. News & World Reports.

The top 10 metro areas by construction activity in the third quarter of 2011 were:

 
83%
A recent survey by recruiting company Hays found nearly half of jobseekers believe salaries and benefits offered by small businesses are not competitive enough with larger organizations. The positive factors they did find in small businesses were a more hands-on approach (88%), greater responsibility (83%), greater understanding of the business as a whole (83%) and a greater chance to work closely with senior staff (88%).

72%
A majority (72%) of small-business owners would like to expand their companies by adding employees within the next five years, but various factors stand in the way, according to a report by the National Federation of Independent Business Research Foundation. Economic uncertainty and weak sales were the two dominant external factors owners mentioned.
 

$4
Gas prices seemed to be a never-ending topic in 2011. Unfortunately, pump pressures may be a reoccurring theme in 2012, according to analysts who are predicting a spike in prices. “I think we will see prices in 2012 that will break … records,” Tom Kloza, chief oil analyst for the Oil Price Information Service told the Los Angeles Times. In 2011, the U.S. average peaked at $4.114 a gallon and $4.588 in California.

2.5x
The share of Latino employees in the lawn and landscaping industry is 2.6 times higher than the national average. According to an economic study by the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Latinos represent 13.4% of all U.S. workers and represent 35.2% of all workers in the green industry.