Construction employment shrinks in 325 of 337 largest metro areas in September

All but 12 communities nationwide saw declines in construction employment between September 2008 and 2009 according to a new analysis of metropolitan area employment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics released today [Oct. 27]by the Associated General Contractors of America. That analysis found more construction jobs were lost in Phoenix(35,100) than in any other city in America.

"It shouldn't take an act of nature to put construction workers back on the job," said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association's chief executive officer, noting that many of the communities adding jobs were in the midst of rebuilding after recent natural disasters. "Construction workers would rather have a surge in new projects than a flood of layoffs," according to an Oct. 27 AGC of America release.

Read full article