Construction employment increased by 7,000 in May, helping to push the industry's unemployment rate down to the lowest May level in five years, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the relatively positive jobs report for the sector underscores the need to address potential shortages of skilled workers. “Although the monthly job gain in May was modest, both residential and nonresidential construction have been adding workers at roughly double the rate of the overall economy in the past year,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “At the same … Read more

Total construction spending registered a small gain in April but showed very mixed patterns among major segments, according to an analysis of new census bureau data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials cautioned that a surge in certain project types and regions could leave the industry short of workers even while overall unemployment remains high. “The report underscores patterns that have prevailed for several months: surging home and apartment construction, volatile private nonresidential activity and shrinking public investment,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist.”This uneven result is leading to selected materials cost increases and localized reports … Read more

Construction employment increased in 170 out of 339 metropolitan areas between April 2012 and April 2013, declined in 123 and was stagnant in 46, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that a majority of metro areas are adding construction jobs as private sector demand accelerates in many parts of the country. “Demand for construction continues to grow in many parts of the country amid increasing private sector investments in new residential, energy and supply chain facilities like factories, rail lines and warehouses,” said Ken Simonson, … Read more

Construction employment declined in 32 states and the District of Columbia in April even as 29 states added jobs between April 2012 and April 2013, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data. Association officials noted that construction demand in a number of states appears to be slackening amid federal construction spending cuts and relatively weak private sector demand. “The industry shows signs of recovering but employment growth continues to be uneven, with some areas seeing stronger gains even as others continue to contract,” said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. “In addition, … Read more

NEW YORK, N.Y.   — Nonresidential construction spending retrenched in the first quarter of 2013 despite an expansion of the U.S. economy and an improving housing market, according to the quarterly Marcum Commercial Construction Index.   The positive performance of both economic indicators produced a modest improvement in construction employment.   A complete copy of the Marcum index can be viewed online at www.marcumllp.com/constructionindex. Nonresidential Fixed Investment in Structures for the first quarter declined 0.3 percent, even as U.S. Gross Domestic Product increased 2.5 percent.   The first quarter commercial construction decline compares to a gain of 16.7 percent in … Read more