56 Out of 337 Metro Areas Add Construction Jobs Between August 2009 & 2010, Highest Number Adding Jobs Since September 2008

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

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Architecture Billings Index Shows Modest Improvement

Washington, D.C. — Still not entering into the positive phase, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) increased for the third straight month in August. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the August ABI score was 48.2, up slightly from a reading of 47.9 the previous month. This score reflects a continued decline in demand for design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index was also up, moving … Read more

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Twenty-Five States and District of Columbia Add Construction Jobs in August, says AGC

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

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Construction Added 19,000 Jobs Last Month as Strike Ends but Industry Remains at 17% Unemployment

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

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FMI Releases Nonresidential Construction Index (NRCI) for the Third Quarter, 2010

State and Municipalities Budget Cuts Expected, More Improvement/Alterations Work RALEIGH, N.C. — At 51.3 for the third quarter of 2010, the NRCI is in growth territory for the second quarter in a row; however, it retreated somewhat from the more positive outlook of 54.5 last quarter, according to FMI Corporation, management consultants and investment bankers to the engineering and construction industry. States and municipalities are expected to make significant budget cuts due to lower tax revenues next year, and the federal stimulus support for the market will start to wind down over the next year. The concern now is that … Read more

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