Construction employment declined in 153 out of 337 metropolitan areas between September 2010 and September 2011, increased in 145 and stayed level in 39, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that declines in publicly funded construction projects continue to offset modest improvements in the private sector market. “Despite the fact the industry added 26,000 new jobs in September, industry employment continues to fall in far too many metro areas,” said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. “Construction demand in many parts of the country seems … Read more

Industry Unemployment Rate Drops to 13.3 Percent Construction employers added 26,000 jobs between August and September as the industry's unemployment rate dropped to 13.3 percent, according to an analysis of new federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the increase is the first significant change in construction-employment levels since February and reflects growing private sector demand for nonresidential construction projects. “These numbers give us a taste for how investing in construction activity can really boost overall employment figures,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association's chief executive officer. “However, the real question is whether … Read more

RALEIGH, N.C. — FMI, a provider of management consulting and investment banking to the engineering and construction industry, announces the release of the Construction Outlook: Third Quarter 2011 Report. Overall, in FMI's latest forecast for construction put in place calls for 2% growth in 2011 and 6% for 2012 to $886.2 billion in total construction. In today's economy that sounds like ambitious growth, but in constant 2006 dollars, that is only 3% growth for 2012 and a 1% drop in construction for 2011. To put it in perspective, in 2012 we will nearly return to 2003 levels of construction in … Read more