Local and National Construction Leaders Comment on Latest Numbers

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. — The nation’s construction industry unemployment rate fell to 14.5 percent, down from 17.2 percent in March and 17.8 percent in April, according to the May 4 employment report by the U.S. Labor Department. Year over year, the construction industry has added 63,000 jobs or 1.1 percent.

“The nation’s economy has managed to regain some semblance of momentum since last September, which should ultimately translate into better news for the construction industry,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu.

The nonresidential building construction sector has added 6,000 jobs, a 0.9 percent increase year-over-year as April employment stood at 658,400. Nonresidential specialty trade contractors have gained 3,900 jobs, a 0.2 percent increase since last April.

“The construction industry has suffered so much during this economic downturn. It’s good to hear some positive employment news,” said Peter Dyga, president and CEO of Associated Builders and Contractors Florida East Coast Chapter.

ABC and ABC Florida East Coast Chapter Associated Builders and Contractors is a national association with 74 chapters representing 23,000 merit shop construction and construction-related firms with nearly 2 million employees. ABC’s membership represents all specialties within the U.S. construction industry and is comprised primarily of firms that perform work in the industrial and commercial sectors of the industry.

ABC Florida East Coast Chapter, founded in 1968, serves nearly 550 members from the Florida Keys to the Space Coast with a wide variety of services including education and training, representation with federal, state and local governments, referral services, discounts ranging from vehicle fleets to health insurance and mobile phone service, networking and community service opportunities. For more information, visit www.abc.org and www.abceastflorida.com.