While the construction industry is still struggling in some states, California contractors added more jobs than any other state in the country in 2011, according to a report by the Associated General Contractors of America.

Restoration Services, Inc. recently purchased a 1.3-acre tract of land from the Community Reuse Organization of East Tennessee. Though the company eventually plans on building its headquarters nearby, it is preparing for the move by constructing a large solar farm, according to the Knoxville News Sentinel.

Farmers have a wide variety of concerns when it comes to their crops, and one of the bigger problems is pests. It might not seem like much, but small creatures can strike in an instant and completely ruin a full year's worth of crops. That's exactly the problem facing berry farmers in Maine when it comes to the Asian fruit fly, reports the Boston Herald.

The Associated General Contractors of America (AGCA) reports that construction jobs will likely see a small recovery throughout 2012, as a recent survey has indicated that fewer companies plan to cut jobs this year compared to last.

Milwaukee School of Engineering president Hermann Viets says construction will soon begin on a new project after a large piece of land is made available. Speaking to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, there are a few minor tasks that need to be completed before work can start in earnest.

Construction will soon begin on a 360,000-square-foot outlet mall near a popular casino in the Phoenix area. According to the East Valley Tribune, it is set to open in spring 2013 and will feature 90 different outlet stores. The project represents the continued efforts of the Gila River Indian Community to improve its economic output.

The U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development have announced their data for the construction industry in December of 2011, and it appears that most of the metrics point to a positive upswing in business, at least compared to 2010.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will soon allocate $25 million to help fund the construction of a biorefinery plant in Iowa. The 55,000 square-foot facility will help produce millions of gallons of renewable energy a year. Construction of the factory itself will lead to about 40 extra jobs.

While giving his annual Condition of the State address, Iowa governor Terry Branstad noted a few of his highest agricultural priorities for the year. One of his main goals is to reform property taxes, which at the moment could be limiting the amount of control farmers have more control over the cost of business.

Construction company owners are becoming more excited about their future prospects, as the latest report from the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index found that builder confidence has risen for the fourth consecutive month.