Building & Construction
March 19, 2026
Written by Nicholas Bell
This commentary was written at 5 p.m. March 18
As expected, the Federal Reserve voted to keep the federal funds rate unchanged at 3.50%-3.75%. Fed Gov. Miran cast the lone dissenting vote on the 12-person committee, preferring a 25-basis-point cut instead.
Rio Tinto will exclusively market billet from RevoCast’s new British Columbia plant under a long-term agreement combining primary and recycled aluminum.
Can Art Aluminum Extrusion has purchased BRT Extrusions in Niles, adding five extrusion presses and finishing operations.
RevoCast has started secondary aluminum billet production in British Columbia, adding more than 80,000 tonnes of annual capacity to Western Canada.
Construction spending indicators show softer architecture billings and private construction spending despite strength in several large project categories.
US construction indicators show large projects supporting planning and starts even as contractor backlog and broader commercial activity lose momentum.