New Data Shows Signs of Construction Recovery, Need for Federal Assistance

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A new survey by the Associated General Contractors of America, and data from construction technology firm Procore, show that construction activity is returning to pre-coronavirus levels in many parts of the country and some firms are adding workers.The new economic data, however, also shows some future projects are being canceled and many others are being delayed by supply chain issues and labor shortages, underscoring the need for additional federal recovery measures, association officials noted. “Many of the immediate economic impacts of the coronavirus have passed and, as a result, activity and hiring are up, a bit,” said Ken Simonson, the […]

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AGC Reports Construction Jobs Rise by 464K, Remain Below Recent Peak

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Construction employment rebounded by 464,000 jobs in May, but the total remained 596,000 below the latest peak in February and the industry’s 12.7% unemployment rate was the highest for May since 2012, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data. Association officials cautioned that the future job losses are likely as temporary federal support programs end, state and local officials deal with tighter budgets and private sector demand declines later this year.   “The huge pickup in construction employment in May is good news and probably reflects the industry’s widespread receipt of Paycheck Protection […]

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Dodge Construction Starts Post Small Gain in May

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Total construction starts rose 3% from April to May to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $595.1 billion, following a 25% decline the previous month. Several large nonresidential building projects broke ground in May resulting in the gain. Removing those large projects from the statistics would have resulted in no change in starts over the month. In May, nonresidential buildings increased 8%, while residential building starts rose 4%. Nonbuilding starts, however, declined 4% during the month. Through the first five months of 2020, total construction starts were 12% lower than in the same period in 2019. Nonresidential starts were down […]

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Construction Employment Declines in Majority of Metro Areas, AGC Says New Transportation Proposal Could Help Restore Jobs

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Construction employment declined in more than nine out of 10 metro areas from March to April, a time when industry employment typically increases in most locations, an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government data shows. Association officials said new federal transportation funding could help restore many lost construction jobs, but cautioned that new legislation released by House Democrats includes new regulatory measures that could undermine the broader goals of the measure.   “Today’s employment report shows how few areas were left unscathed by April’s unprecedented job losses,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Sadly, […]

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New Association Survey Finds Mix of Layoffs, Hiring Pickup in May

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Construction employment declined in the District of Columbia and every state except South Dakota in April, an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government data shows. At the same time, the association released a new survey that finds that rising project cancellations are forcing many firms to furlough or terminate employees even as federal relief measures help avoid further job losses. Association officials urged Washington officials to act quickly on measures like new infrastructure funding, liability protections for employers and extending the Paycheck Protection Program. “Today’s state employment report shows how widespread—and deep—the job losses have […]

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