Construction Ups And Downs

• Ashley Slovinski
• July 28, 2010

According to a report by Reed Construcion Data, May construction starts rose 10.2% from April to the highest level in nearly a year. Since May normally has a seasonal rise in starts, this increase can be interpreted as a stable continuation of three months of starts, according to the AGC of America. Overall, starts are expected to stabilize during the summer, turn up in the fall and then rise progressively, but modestly, in 2011.

Despite this, construction employment declined in 285 out of 337 metropolitan areas between June 2009 and June 2010 according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by AGC. Associaiton officials noted that the employment figures demonstrate how weak overall demand for construction is outpacing the benefits of the stimulus’ $135 billion in construction–related investments.

Chicago–Joliet–Naperville lost more construction jobs (21,300 jobs, 15 percent) than any other metro area. Construction employment figures can be viewed by state or by rank.