Construction spending up nationally for August

Construction spending was up nationally in August, according to data released Monday morning by the Commerce Department. Construction spending in August was at an annual rate of $1.108 billion, up 0.4 percent from July and 6.1 percent above the $1.104 billion rate for August 2004. During the first eight months of this year, construction spending nationally amounted to $723.7 billion, 9 percent above the $664.2 billion spent during the first eight months of 2004.