One-Third Metro Areas Add Construction Jobs in Latest 12 Months

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Only 30% of the nation’s metro areas added construction jobs in the past year, according to an analysis of new government data that the Associated General Contractors of America released. Association officials said construction employment in most parts of the country was being impacted by the pandemic as businesses and local governments curtail planned construction projects. “The pandemic has devastated the finances for businesses, institutions and state and local governments, leading to widespread postponements and cancellations of construction projects,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “As contractors use up the funds from Paycheck Protection Program loans, even more job … Read more

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Nonresidential Construction Spending Remains Flat in October, Residential Construction Expands, says AGC

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The construction industry’s fortunes continued to diverge in October, as residential construction expanded again while nonresidential construction remained largely unchanged from a month ago and is down compared to last year, according to an analysis of new federal construction spending data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said that demand for nonresidential construction is being hit by private sector worries about the coronavirus, tighter state and local budgets and the lack of new federal pandemic relief measures.   “The October spending report shows private nonresidential construction is continuing to slide,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. … Read more

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Construction Sector Adds 84,000 Workers in October, Project Cancellations Undermine Future Gains, says AGC

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Construction employment increased by 84,000 jobs in October, with jobs added in both nonresidential and residential categories, according to a recent analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data. Association officials cautioned, however, that the pandemic is causing a growing number of construction projects to be canceled or delayed, according to a survey the association released in late October.   “The employment data for October is good news, but our latest survey found that only a minority of contractors expect to add to their workforce in the next 12 months,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. … Read more

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Pandemic Prompts Strong Demand for Housing, Undermines Demand for Other Nonresidential Projects, says AGC

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Construction employment increased by 26,000 jobs in September to a total of 7,245,000, but the gains were concentrated in housing, while employment in the infrastructure and nonresidential building construction sector remained little changed, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the pandemic was prompting strong demand for new housing as more Americans work from home, while undermining private-sector development of office, retail and other types of projects and forcing many local and state governments to cut construction budgets.   “Construction is becoming steadily more split between a robust residential component and generally stagnant … Read more

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Two-Thirds of Metros Shed Construction Jobs from August 2019 to August 2020, AGC Urges Congress to Pass COVID Relief

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Construction employment decreased in 241, or 67%, out of 358 metro areas between August 2019 and last month, according to an analysis of new government data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials urged Congress to pass new coronavirus relief measures before leaving town.   “Although residential construction is picking up in many areas, public and nonresidential construction are shrinking,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Project cancellations are spreading, and fewer new projects are starting up. That combination makes further employment declines inevitable unless the federal government steps up support for infrastructure.”   Simonson noted … Read more

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