Hanford—Corcoran, California and Kansas City, Kansas Top List of Metro Areas Adding Jobs while Chicago and Napa, California Lose Most Jobs for the Year Construction employment expanded in 56 out of 337 metropolitan areas between August 2009 and August 2010 according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. More cities added construction jobs during the past year than at any point since September 2008, indicating that the worst of the industry's job losses may be over, association officials noted. “With construction employment on the mend in an increasing number of … Read more

Illinois adds most jobs in August, while Minnesota loses most jobs monthly and New Mexico has largest monthly percent decline Construction jobs were added in half the states in August, while the number of states with year-over-year job gains rose to 10 from just six in July, the Associated General Contractors reported in an analysis of state employment data released today by the Labor Department. The number of states that increased construction employment over 12 months was the largest since October 2008. “National construction employment has been flat since March, and more areas have seen an upturn in employment, while … Read more

Industry Association Urges Congress and the Administration to Act on Long-Delayed Infrastructure Bills and Avoid Tax Rate Increases or Risk Further Job Losses The construction industry added 19,000 jobs in August as a strike that had lowered employment in July ended, but the sector’s 17 percent unemployment rate was the highest August rate ever, according to a new analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of federal employment data released today. Continuing gridlock in Washington over infrastructure legislation and expiring tax rates threatens to keep construction workers unemployed much longer, association officials warned. “Construction layoffs in May through July … Read more