51����

Construction employment rose in half the states and decreased in half in October and during the past year, closely matching the stable national employment picture, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data.  The even split between gains and losses reflects the accelerating improvement in apartment and private nonresidential construction, offset by a declining public market and stalled single-family sector. “Construction employment gains are likely to remain spotty for months to come,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist.  “Local factors, rather than regional or industry trends, seem to dictate whether a state has rising or falling construction employment in a given month.” To read the full press release, click . View the state employment data by and by . This story was covered in , the , , , , , , and .