NEW YORK, Feb 24 (Reuters) - A leading indicator of U.S. nonresidential construction spending fell in January to its lowest level since August 2009 as construction projects kept getting delayed or canceled, an architects' trade group said on Wednesday.

The Architecture Billings Index was down up 2.9 points to 42.5 last month, according to the American Institute of Architects. The index has remained below 50, indicating contraction in demand for design services, since January 2008. Its lowest recent reading was in January 2009, when it reached a revised 33.9 level.

DUBLIN, Feb 22, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Cooper Industries today announced Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Terry A. Klebe, will retire in 2010 after 15 years of service with Cooper Industries. Mr. Klebe began his career at Cooper in 1995 as Vice President and Controller and was appointed Senior Vice President, Strategic Sourcing in 1999. In 2002, he was promoted to Chief Financial Officer and has served in this role for the past 8 years.