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) (The Associated Press)
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 percent in January, significantly slower than an upwardly revised 1.5 percent gain in December.
Home building was up 1.1 percent in January with single-family construction rising 2.3 percent and apartment building up 1 percent.
However, there was widespread weakness outside of housing. Non-residential construction fell 0.2 percent and office building was flat, with bad weather likely a factor in the weakness.
Total government construction was down 0.8 percent in January compared with December.
Construction spending totaled $943.1 billion in January at a seasonally adjusted annual rate.
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