Construction employment increased in the greater Atlanta region and in 217 out of 358 metro areas nationally between April 2016 and April 2017. It declined in 89 metro areas and stagnated in 52, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that construction firms in many parts of the country continue to expand headcount amid strong private-sector demand for their services.
“Construction employment continues to expand in the majority of the nation’s metro areas,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Many firms are adding new employees as they work to keep pace with demand for new private-sector projects.”
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, Calif. (14,600 jobs, 16 percent) added the most construction jobs during the past year, followed by Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Fla. (8,900 jobs, 13 percent); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, Ga. (6,800 jobs, 6 percent).
The largest job losses from April 2016 to April 2017 were in Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas (-7,600 jobs, -3 percent), followed by St. Louis, Mo. (-4,000 jobs, -6 percent).
Association officials cautioned that public investments in infrastructure have declined by 8.5 percent during the past twelve months, even as private-sector demand continues to grow. hey added that deteriorating infrastructure could undermine continued economic growth as businesses are forced to pay more, and wait longer, to ship goods and services. They said an infrastructure proposal outlined by the Trump administration last week should provoke needed debate in Washington about how to pay for future public works projects.
“Private-sector demand will suffer if employers are forced to spend more to cope with congested roads, aging bridges and inefficient water systems,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s CEO. “Congress needs to find a reliable and long-term way to pay for future upgrades before aging infrastructure undermines future growth prospects.”
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