Grassroot industrial plant construction ― ranging from ground breaking to commissioning ― in North America continues to experience explosive growth, according to Industrial Information Resources. The total investment value of grassroot industrial plants currently under construction in North America in 2008 exceeds $181 billion, 71% of which are in the U.S. ($129 billion in total value) with the remainder under construction in Canada, representing more than $51 billion in total value.

2008 is exceeding 2007, a banner year, which saw grassroot plant construction in the U.S. grow from $60 billion in 2006 to $88 billion in 2007. Since 2006, grassroot industrial plant construction activity has doubled in 2008 up to $181 billion.

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