ABC Unveils Jobs Proposal for the Construction Industry

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) today unveiled its 2010 Job Creation Proposal, a wide-ranging package of recommendations that will help to stimulate the construction industry and put Americans back to work.   “We believe these measures are a much-needed first step to get this nation's construction industry moving again,” said ABC President and CEO Kirk Pickerel. “With construction in this country nearly at a standstill and the industry unemployment rate at a staggering 24.7 percent — more than twice the national average — it is imperative for Congress to enact meaningful job creation legislation.”   In order … Read more

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Bureau of Labor Statistics Releases December Construction Employment Numbers

Mississippi tops list of Six States to Add Construction Jobs Between November and December 2009, Wyoming Had Largest Monthly Percentage Decline in Construction Employment For the first time since the start of the economic downturn, every state and the District of Columbia reported losing construction jobs over the past twelve months, according to a new analysis of state-by-state employment data released today. The analysis, conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America, found few signs of a construction industry recovery with only six states reporting construction job increases between November and December 2009. “There’s nowhere for construction workers to turn … Read more

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New Construction Employment and Spending Numbers Released

Construction Employment Down 36 Percent in El Centro, Calif., Up 12 Percent in Harrisburg, Pa., As Construction Spending Drops 13.2 Percent Compared to Last Year Construction employment declined in 324 out of 337 metropolitan areas over the past year as spending on construction projects dropped by over $137 billion in November to a 6-year low of $900 billion, according to a new analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of federal figures released today. “Private nonresidential construction is in freefall, with every category except private power construction down sharply compared to a year ago,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s … Read more

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26 States Add Construction Jobs During Unusually Mild November, but only North Dakota Sees Annual Increase

Too Early to Know if Trend is Emerging As Kansas and Nebraska See Largest Increase; Vermont and Washington See Largest Decrease in Monthly Construction Employment Construction employment increased in 26 states this November during a period of warm, dry weather according to an analysis of new employment data released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The analysis conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America, however, found construction employment decreased everywhere except North Dakota over the past 12 months. “It is too early to say if the pickup reflects improving economic conditions or a short-lived break in the weather,” … Read more

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ABC Forecasts 2010 Construction Activity Will See Winners and Losers

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Nov. 9 — Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) today released its 2010 economic forecast for the commercial and industrial construction industry. “While the industry battled the effects of the recession in 2009, expect 2010 to be a transitional but sluggish year on the road to recovery,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “Through late 2008, the industry held up well, but 2009 was a year of retrenchment for many construction sectors, including those associated with private development and municipal projects,” said Basu. “Overall, the nonresidential construction industry has been impacted by a combination of financing constraints, massive … Read more

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