NEW YORK (September 21, 2017) – At a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $711.6 billion, new construction starts in August slipped 2 percent from July, according to Dodge Data & Analytics.  The decline followed July’s 6 percent increase, yet still kept total construction activity 5 percent above the relatively subdued pace reported during the second quarter.  The nonbuilding construction sector in August dropped 24 percent after soaring 26 percent in July, reflec