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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Construction Sector Adds 16K Workers in August, Nonresidential Jobs Shrink + Pessimism Rises, Says AGC

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Construction employment increased by 16,000 jobs in August, but the gains were concentrated in housing, while the infrastructure and nonresidential building construction sector lost 11,000 jobs, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data. The new jobs data comes as association officials reported that a survey of more than 2000 contractors it released found growing pessimism about a return to normal levels of construction business amid a proliferation of project cancellations.   “Construction is becoming a tale of two sectors, as homebuilding and limited nonresidential niches thrive but most other private, as well as … Read more

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Coronavirus Causes Project Delays + Cancellations, Demand for Skilled Labor High, Says AGC

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The coronavirus has harmed the construction industry, prompting project delays and cancellations, layoffs and furloughs. However, it remains difficult for a majority of firms to find craftworkers to hire, according to the results of a workforce survey conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America and Autodesk. The survey paints a picture of an industry in need of immediate recovery measures and longer-term workforce development support, association officials added. “Few firms have survived unscathed from the pandemic amid widespread project delays and cancellations,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Ironically, even as the pandemic undermines demand for construction services, … Read more

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Construction Employment Continues to Decline, AGC Calls for New Relief Steps

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Construction employment decreased from June to July in 26 states and the District of Columbia as earlier widespread job gains gave way to more project cancellations, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government employment data. Association officials said construction employment is likely to continue falling in many parts of the country without new federal recovery measures, including liability reform and new infrastructure funding. “Renewed outbreaks of coronavirus in numerous states likely caused many project owners and investors to pull back on planned construction,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Meanwhile, budget problems in … Read more

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