by Jbs101209 g3 — October 16, 2009—Construction employment saw significant declines in all but two states in August 2009 compared to last year, according to an analysis of new state-by-state employment figures released October 2, 2009 by the federal government. The analysis, conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGCA), however, did show that the number of states gaining construction jobs increased slightly in August compared to July 2009.
The five biggest percentage losses in construction employment over the year occurred in Arizona (27 percent, or 50,000 jobs), Nevada (25 percent, or 29,500 jobs), and three states with 22 percent losses: Connecticut (14,300 jobs), Kentucky (18,300 jobs) and Tennessee (28,300 jobs). Forty-one states saw double-digit percentage decreases in construction employment for the year. Meanwhile, construction employment expanded in just two states compared to August 2008. North Dakota added 800 construction jobs for a 4 percent increase, and Louisiana added 4,400 jobs for a 3 percent increase in construction employment.
