Metro area construction contracts up 9 percent

The value of contracts for future construction in the metropolitan area rose 9 percent in November compared with a year ago on higher residential activity, according to a report.

Dodge Data & Analytics, an industry information service, reported last week that contracts worth $2.3 billion for all future building were awarded in November in the 23-county region that includes Long Island, up from $2.1 billion in November 2014.

Residential contracts totaled $1.5 billion in November, a 19 percent increase year over year.

Nonresidential contracts, for commercial properties such as offices, hotels, factories and warehouses, fell 7 percent to $814 million.