The U.S. economy has been slowly recovering since the recession that hit in late 2007, and the construction industry has been experiencing the gradual improvements, which has in turn helped local economies across the nation. In fact, the U.S. Labor Department recently announced their March employment data was underestimated by about 386,000 jobs, according to the Los Angeles Times. Nearly 23 percent (85,000) of these jobs were in the construction sector.

In addition to offering a wide selection of used construction equipment and agriculture equipment, IronPlanet also ensures that buyers know what they're getting. Since the auctions take place online, buyers cannot personally examine the items they're interested in, which is where IronClad Assurance comes in.

The San Francisco 49ers will soon be relocating from Candlestick Park in San Francisco to nearby Santa Clara, once the new stadium is finished, and so far the construction project is right on track. According to local news network KTVU, officials expect the $1.2 billion stadium to be finished in time for the 2014 NFL season.

Green technologies intended to improve efficiency and reduce dependence on natural resources have become common options for new buildings, changing many aspects of the construction industry. Many new buildings are being built with green technologies such as solar panels and rooftop gardens that help with climate control. Now, architecture firms that specialize in green technology and design are making a push to retrofit older buildings, according to The Buffalo News.

IronPlanet is gearing up for another two-day Featured Auction, as there are more than 1,400 items that will be available on September 26 and 27. There are many different choices for those in the market for either construction equipment or agriculture equipment. Compactors, conveyors, cranes, excavators, farm tractors and dump trailers make up a decent portion of the selection, and there are many other machines, tools and vehicles available as well. Here
are a few highlights from the upcoming auction.

Brooklyn, one of New York City's residential boroughs, has recently seen a marked increase in the number of renters, which is driving the construction of new residence projects. According to Bloomberg, the number of renters has increased 9 percent in the past year, and many renovations and new building construction projects have cropped up around the populous neighborhoods of Brooklyn as a result.

In a few weeks, the current farm bill is set to expire, but since many political officials are busy working on campaigns for the upcoming elections, the renewal of this legislation will be pushed back, causing worry among the agriculture industry. On Sept. 20, Speaker of the House John Boehner announced the vote for the new farm bill, H.R. 6083, would be delayed until after the November election, according to the Des Moines Register. Boehner explained there is uncertainty whether there are enough votes to pass the bill in the House, even though the Senate passed it in June.

California is planning to revamp its rail system to make way for a new high-speed rail line and improve upon existing tracks throughout the state. According to The Associated Press, the Federal Railroad Administration recently approved the first phase of construction on the Golden State's rail modernization project. Construction equipment will soon become a common sight along a 65-mile corridor from Fresno to Merced, as this is the first section of the planned 800-mile railway system to be built.

The first two quarters of 2012 were strong for auction companies selling heavy equipment, but equipment values dropped at the end of the second quarter.

Traveling to Wichita, Kan., may be a lot easier soon, as construction is underway for a new $101.5 million terminal in the city's airport.

The Wichita Eagle reports that rain stopped the official groundbreaking ceremony for Air Capital Terminal 3 (ACT 3), but that didn't diminish the hope of what this project may accomplish. The grounds were actually broken a month ago for construction purposes, according to the news provider.

"There’s an old Irish saying, that when there's bad weather on the day of a wedding, the marriage will succeed," Victor White, the city's director of airports, told the news provider. "I hope that holds true for construction projects."