WASHINGTON — Single-family home construction declined across all geographic regions in the first quarter of 2026 due to economic uncertainty, high material costs and elevated interest rates, while multifamily construction showed growth in most areas, according to the latest findings from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Home Building Geography Index (HBGI).

The Education Foundation of the Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWIEF) recently awarded scholarships totaling $80,000 in support of students whose academic curricula are preparing them for careers in the architectural woodwork industry. The funds benefited students who hail from 12 schools.

Builders FirstSource announced the acquisition of Precision Design and Trim, an installation business serving the Boise, Idaho, market. Founded in 2006 by Eric Brant and Frank Knight, Precision Design and Trim provides high-quality finish work for new home construction.

Ellis-Reid, a premier architectural millwork and interior detailing company serving luxury residential projects throughout the Carolinas, has appointed Ernest Benton as its chief operating officer.

Since 2022, national charity Forests Canada and the Greenbelt Foundation have partnered to plant 750,000 trees and now have their sights set on hitting the one-million-tree milestone in the fall after announcing the planting of another 250,000 trees in the Greenbelt this year.

Decks & Docks Company, a distributor of composite decking and outdoor living building products, has acquired J&W Lumber, a provider of outdoor building materials throughout Southern California. This transaction represents a significant milestone in Decks & Docks’ ongoing geographic expansion as it embarks on its West Coast expansion through J&W’s six retail locations.

Genesis Products has launched its new line of RV countertops featuring EverCore, a new high-performance composite countertop platform engineered to give RV manufacturers a premium alternative to traditional laminate and solid surface materials.

National nonresidential construction spending increased 0.1% in April, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published by the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending totaled $1.25 trillion.

Handwork: Celebrating American Craft 2026, a nationwide initiative presented by Craft in America and timed to the country’s Semiquincentennial, announced its educational programming.