State construction job losses remain widespread; PPI tumbles; MHC, Reed starts rise

Seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment fell in 29 states in July and rose in 21 states and the District of Columbia, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Friday [Aug. 21]. North Carolina had the largest percentage drop, -0.7 percent; followed by Mississippi, -0.6 percent; Nevada and New Mexico, -0.5 percent each. The largest percentage gains were in D.C., 1.9 percent; Michigan, 1.0 percent; New York, 0.7 percent; South Dakota and Tennessee, 0.6 percent each. Over the year, nonfarm employment fell in 49 states and rose in North Dakota, 1.0 percent; and D.C., 0.9 percent. The biggest over-the-year percentage drops were in Arizona, -7.5 percent; Michigan, -6.7 percent, Nevada, -6.4 percent; and Oregon, -5.7 percent. Construction employment fell for the month in 34 states plus D.C., rose in 13 and was level (or within 100 of the June figure) in Illinois, Alabama and New Hampshire. Compared to July 2008, construction employment fell everywhere except in Louisiana, 3.6 percent; North Dakota, 2.8 percent; and Mississippi, unchanged. The largest 12-month losses were in Arizona, -28 percent; Nevada, -25 percent; Connecticut, -22 percent; and Kentucky, -21 percent, according to an Aug. 24 Data DIGest report.

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