posted on March 11, 2011 01:13
Even as many of the country’s construction markets continue to see more losses than gains, the Lone Star State is still holding its own, according to some recent stats compiled by The Associated General Contractors of America.
Between December 2010 and January 2011, Texas added 3,700 construction jobs. Besides Texas, 28 other states — plus the District of Columbia — also added jobs between the last month of 2010 and first month of 2011, according to a recent job-growth analysis by AGC.
When it came to year-over-year performance, however, Texas really distinguished itself. It added 33,400 construction jobs between January 2010 and January 2011 — the largest statewide year-over-year increase. Only 13 other states — plus the District of Columbia — added construction jobs over the 12 months ended Jan. 31, 2011, per AGC’s analysis.
The year-over-year figures help to underscore the challenges that still lie ahead for this industry — despite the recent short-term gains.
Nationwide, the construction sector added 33,000 jobs in February, AGC reports. But given various forces — from the drying up of stimulus funds for public-works projects, to continued lack-luster demand in the private sector — a one-month gain is at best, a mere start.
“As heartwarming as these gains are, it will be hard for the industry to build on this momentum in the face of weak demand and continued political gridlock,” observes Stephen E. Sandherr, CEO of AGC.
The construction industry association is based in Arlington, Va.
3/10/11, Tricia Lynn Silva, San Antonio Business Journal