Nearly one-third of U.S. metro areas lost construction jobs between August 2020 and August 2021, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government employment data released today. Association officials noted that the job losses are occurring as the fate of a bipartisan infrastructure bill that would boost demand for construction remains uncertain in the U.S. House of Representatives.
鈥淲hile construction activity has rebounded from pandemic lows in many metros, the recovery is fragile,鈥 said Ken Simonson, the association鈥檚 chief economist. 鈥淓xtreme production and delivery delays, along with continuing high materials costs, may lead to project cancellations and postponements that cut into job gains.鈥
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