Construction employment declines in 324 out of 337 cities

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 free fall, with every category except private power construction down sharply compared to a year ago," said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. "Those cuts are causing layoffs in virtually every part of the country for tens of thousands of skilled construction workers," according to a Jan. 4 AGC of America release.

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