posted on January 02, 2012 12:57
Over the 12 months ended Nov. 30, 2011, 25 states in the U.S. — plus the District of Columbia — added construction jobs, according to the latest analysis by the Arlington, Va.-based Associated General Contractors of America (AGC).
Texas was one of the 25 that added jobs. In fact, the Lone Star State added the largest number of jobs over the 12-month period — 10,600 to be exact, according to the AGC report.
At present, the state’s construction industry employs a total of 586,700 individuals.
Over the past month, however, Texas’ construction industry actually shed 2,200 jobs between October and November.
All told, only 19 states, plus D.C., actually added construction jobs between October and November of this year.
This “weaker showing,” was due, in large part, to employment declines among public-works contractors, according to AGC Chief Economist Ken Simonson.
“Although there have been selective improvements in private, nonresidential employment, multifamily construction and even home building in a few states, public construction employment declines are negating these gains in much of the country,” he says.
The situation is not likely to get any better any time soon, given Congress’ failure to enact long-term transportation and infrastructure funding bills, adds Stephen E. Sandherr, who is the CEO of the AGC.
“When federal funds are assured for only a few months at a time, states and contractors are unable to start long-term projects. And employment in a state can drop as soon as a major project ends,” Sandherr adds. “Construction firms — and the many businesses that depend on them — will continue to suffer until Congress does its part.”
12/20/11, James Aldridge, San Antonio Business Journal