Nonresidential spending still strong.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)

THE NONRESIDENTIAL sector has been the surprising star on the construction marquee so far in 2000. The commercial, industrial and institutional sub-sectors have continued to record strong growth.

Total spending on nonresidential buildings is up 9.8% so far this year, while residential construction spending is ahead just 7.1% -- quite a reversal from the past several years.

Total nonresidential construction spending during May was 12.7% higher than a year earlier. This represented the best over-the-year gain recorded by the sector in almost two years. Growth f