According to a report by McGraw-Hill Construction, Texas will see a projected 16% increase in the value of construction starts in 2010 to reach an estimated $52.5 billion supported by an expanding housing market and public works and utilities projects funded by Federal stimulus dollars.  San Antonio benefited from military-related construction in 2009 and is expected to see a 6% increase.  Read Construction activity in San Antonio expect to rise 6 percent (SABJ, 2-11-10)

A survey conducted by Virtual Builders Exchange LLC also showed hopeful signs for the construction industry based on a slight increase in the number of projects put out for bid in January and February of 2010 compared to the same period last year.  Optimism, however, is somewhat muted by the limited number of projects in the planning stages.  Read Hopeful signs on horizon for construction industry, survey shows (SABJ, 2-19-10)