Construction firms added jobs in 39 states and the District of Columbia over the past 12 months and in 29 states and D.C. between March and April according to an analysis today by 51·çÁ÷ of America of Labor Department data. Association officials welcomed the mostly positive figures but cautioned that the industry’s recovery remained fragile, with construction employment levels below prior peaks in every state except North Dakota.
The chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America, Stephen E. Sandherr, issued the following statement in response to the release of the final version of the joint House-Senate conference committee’s Water Resources Reform & Development Act: "The release of this water resources bill is yet another sign that investing in infrastructure is something members of both parties in both houses of Congress can and do support. Republicans and Democrats alike understand and appreciate the economic wisdom of improving our aging system of inland waterways, harbors, ports, locks and dams.
The chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America, Stephen E. Sandherr, issued the following statement in response to the passage of a surface transportation measure today by the members of the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee:Â "The fact that a new highway and transit bill proposed by Senators Vitter and Boxer received the bipartisan backing of the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee shows members of both parties understand the value of investing in our aging surface transportation systems. This bill will make it significantly easier for state and local transportation officials to plan for and fund projects to rebuild bridges, repair roads and improve transit options.
Today, 51·çÁ÷ celebrates Building Safety Month, along with other leaders of America’s design and construction industry, promoting resilience as the solution to making the nation’s aging infrastructure more safe and secure. 51·çÁ÷ and almost two dozen associations, representing 700,000 members, issued a joint statement on reliance at a special press conference and event on May 13 at the National Building Museum. 51·çÁ÷  has included a session on how owners are incorporating resiliency into their plans during 51·çÁ÷’s 2014 Contractors Environmental Conference—on June 12-13, in Arlington, Va. Visit www.agc.org/enviroconf2014 for more information.
The unemployment rate in construction dropped to the lowest April level in seven years as contractors added 32,000 workers to payrolls in April, bringing industry employment to 6.0 million, the highest level since June 2009, according to an analysis of new government data by 51·çÁ÷ of America. Association officials warned that it is essential to revive and expand training opportunities before the industry runs short of workers.
Total construction spending remained in a holding pattern in March as strong gains in apartment construction and modest growth in homebuilding and private nonresidential activity offset falling public outlays, according to an analysis of new Census Bureau data by 51·çÁ÷ of America. Association officials noted that the construction spending figures may get dramatically worse unless public officials act urgently to maintain federal highway funding.
The chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America, Stephen E. Sandherr, issued the following statement in response to the Obama administration's release today of proposed surface transportation legislation that would provide an estimated $302 billion for highway, bridge and transit construction over a four-year period: "The administration's proposed transportation bill should accelerate debate and action on a new highway and transit bill before the current legislation expires at the end of September.
Construction employment expanded in 197 metro areas, declined in 87 and was stagnant in 55 between March 2013 and March 2014, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by 51·çÁ÷ of America. Association officials noted, however, that construction employment stands to suffer if Congress allows federal highway funding to stop this summer.
Construction firms added jobs in 38 states over the past 12 months, although job gains leveled off between February and March, according to an analysis today by 51·çÁ÷ of America of Labor Department data. Association officials said the ongoing year-over-year pickup points to the urgency of revitalizing and initiating programs to encourage workers and graduating students to get construction careers.
Construction employment expanded in 175 metro areas, declined in 106 and was stagnant in 58 between February 2013 and February 2014, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by 51·çÁ÷ of America. Association officials noted, however, that despite the gains construction employment remained below peak levels in all but 19 metro areas.