by jbs081510 i3 — August 16, 2010—Construction employment declined in 285 out of 337 metropolitan areas between June 2009 and June 2010 according to a new analysis of federal employment data released recently by the Associated General Contractors of America. The employment figures demonstrate how weak overall demand for construction is outpacing the benefits of the stimulus’ $135 billion in construction-related investments, association officials noted.
Chicago-Joliet-Naperville lost more construction jobs (21,300 jobs, 15 percent) than any other metro area, while Pascagoula, MS (2,000 jobs, 32 percent) and Flagstaff, AZ (700 jobs, 32 percent) lost the highest percentage. Other areas experiencing large declines in construction employment included Las Vegas (16,500 jobs, 26 percent); Houston (16,300 jobs, 9 percent); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale (15,900 jobs, 13 percent); and Seattle-Bellevue-Everett (12,400 jobs, 16 percent).
AGC noted that 25 metro areas added construction jobs over the past 12 months, while another 27 areas experienced no change in construction employment. Calvert-Charles-Prince George’s Counties in Maryland added more construction jobs (1,900, 5 percent) than any other metro area, while Hanford-Corcoran, CA added the highest percentage (22 percent, 200 jobs). Other areas adding jobs included Kansas City, KS (1,600 jobs, 8 percent); Columbus, OH (1,200 jobs, 4 percent); and Chattanooga, TN (900 jobs, 11 percent).
According to AGC, the growing volume of stimulus-funded projects is helping save jobs throughout the construction industry. However, continued weak private, state and local demand for construction is taking a broader toll on construction employment, and overall demand for construction is unlikely to recover until well after stimulus funding runs out. The group urged Congress and the Administration to act on long-overdue infrastructure investments programs.
View construction employment figures by state or by rank on the AGC Web site.
