294 out of 337 Metro Areas Lose Construction Jobs Between May 2009 and May 2010
294 out of 337 Metro Areas Lose Construction Jobs Between May 2009 and May 2010 reflecting weak demand and oerdue infrastructure bills according to a report issued by the Associated General Contractors.
The construction segment of the economy reflects directly on the health of the aggregates industry a significant user of dredging equipment.
Association officials urged Congress and the Obama Administration to quickly pass a number of multi-year infrastructure bills so construction firms can adjust their payrolls to meet future demand. They noted that with legislation that sets funding levels for the nation’s highways transit systems airports waterways drinking and sewer systems all months overdue contractors are hesitant to expand payrolls.
Most Jobs Added in Columbus Ohio While Eau Claire Wisconsin Has Highest Rate of Job Growth; Chico California Has Highest Rate of Decline and Chicago Loses Most Jobs
Construction employment continued to suffer significant declines in the majority of metropolitan areas according to an analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. The figures reflect continued weak private state and local demand as well as a lack of long-term projects caused by stalled federal infrastructure bills association officials noted.
“With current demand soft and chances of a turnaround months away construction firms are unwilling to expand payrolls” said Ken Simonson the association’s chief economist. “Contractors know there’s nothing to take up the slack once the stimulus runs its course.”
Simonson noted that construction employment declined in 294 metropolitan areas between May 2009 and May 2010 increased in 16 metro areas and held steady in another 27. He added that 11 metro areas have lost over 10000 construction jobs each during the past 12 months while one-in-three cities added 1000 or more jobs during the same period.
Chicago lost the most construction jobs between May 2009 and 2010 (21900 16 percent) followed by Houston Texas (18400 jobs 10 percent) and Los Angeles-Long Beach (17300 jobs 15 percent). Chico California experienced the largest percentage decrease in construction employment (33 percent 900 jobs) followed by Flagstaff Arizona (32 percent 700 jobs); Pascagoula Mississippi (31 percent 1900 jobs); Monroe Michigan (29 percent 700 jobs); and Lewiston along the Idaho-Washington border (25 percent 300 jobs).
Columbus Ohio added the highest number of construction jobs during the past year (1500 jobs 5 percent) followed by Kansas City Kansas (1100 jobs 6 percent) and Oklahoma City Oklahoma (1000 jobs 4 percent). Two metro areas recorded double-digit percentage gains in construction employment: Eau Claire Wisconsin (17 percent 500 jobs) and Haverhill-North Andover-Amesbury along the New Hampshire-Massachusetts border (11 percent 400 jobs).
Association officials urged Congress and the Obama Administration to quickly pass a number of multi-year infrastructure bills so construction firms can adjust their payrolls to meet future demand. They noted that with legislation that sets funding levels for the nation’s highways transit systems airports waterways drinking and sewer systems all months overdue contractors are hesitant to expand payrolls.
