Construction employment continued to suffer significant declines in a majority of metropolitan areas, according to an employment data analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America.
Chicago lost the most construction jobs between May 2009 and 2010 (21,900, 16%), followed by Houston (18,400 jobs, 10%) and Los Angeles-Long Beach (17,300 jobs, 15%).
Chico, Calif., experienced the largest percentage decrease in construction employment (33%, 900 jobs), followed by Flagstaff, Ariz., (32%, 700 jobs); Pascagoula, Miss., (31%, 1,900 jobs); Monroe, Mich., (29%, 700 jobs); and Lewiston, along the Idaho–Washington border (25%, 300 jobs).
Association officials noted that the figures reflect continued weak private, state and local demand and stalled federal infrastructure bills for long-term projects.
Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist, noted that while construction employment has increased in 16 metro areas and held steady in another 27, these achievements are overshadowed by the sizeable declined in 294 metro areas. He added that 11 metro areas have lost more than 10,000 construction jobs during the past 12 months.
“With current demand soft and chances of a turnaround months away, construction firms are unwilling to expand payrolls,” said Simonson. “Contractors know there’s nothing to take up the slack once the stimulus runs its course.”
Association officials urged Congress and the Obama administration to quickly pass a number of multiyear infrastructure bills so construction firms can adjust their payrolls to meet future demand. They noted that legislation that sets funding levels for the nation’s highways, transit systems, airports, waterways, drinking and sewer systems are all months overdue.
