The San Antonio-New Braunfels metropolitan statistical area lost 2,600 construction jobs over the past year, according to a new report by Associated General Contractors of America.
The report looks at construction employment in 337 metropolitan areas from May 2009 to May 2010. According to the latest report, 294 out of 337 metros lost construction jobs.
San Antonio ranked as the 106th best construction market out of the 337 markets surveyed, with the No. 1 city actually gaining construction jobs.
“With current demand soft and chances of a turnaround months away, construction firms are unwilling to expand payrolls,” says Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Contractors know there’s nothing to take up the slack once the stimulus runs its course.”
The top five construction markets in America are Eau Claire, Wis.; Haverhill-North Andover-Amesbury, Mass.; Bismark, N.D.; Grand Forks, N.D.; and Chattanooga, Tenn.
AGC officials are urging Congress and the Obama administration to quickly pass a series of infrastructure bills so that the construction industry can add workers to meet future demand.