The new year is looking to be a strong one for Western New York's construction sector.

Contracts for future construction in Erie and Niagara counties totaled $102.3 million in February, according to figures released Monday morning by McGraw-Hill Inc.

That represented an increase of 165 percent from the total of $38.6 million in the same month a year ago.

Both sides of the construction sector were broadly higher in February.
Nonresidential activity saw a fivefold increase, reaching $75.8 million last month. Nonresidential projects include stores, industrial plants, schools, churches and office buildings.

The increase on the residential side was 13 percent, hitting $26.5 million in February 2006.

The two-month total for the year was also up substantially. Construction activity in January and February equaled $177 million, an increase of 54 percent from the same period last year.

http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/s...l?surround=lfn