Friday, January 08, 2010
One clear indicator of why the economy did so poorly last year was found in the construction industry, whose status can greatly affect the health of the nation. In 2009, more than 95% of 337 cities examined by the Associated General Contractors of America experienced job declines for construction workers, a consequence of the industry losing $137 billion in spending compared to 2008.
Everywhere in the building sector employment was way down last year: homes (46%); retail, warehouse and farms (41%); and offices (39%).
Cities that endured the steepest drops in construction jobs included El Centro, California, (36%), Kokomo, Indiana, (31 percent) and Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, Washington, and Reno, Nevada (both 28 percent).
Only two metropolitan areas gained more than 100 construction jobs in 2009: Harrisburg-Carlisle, Pennsylvania (1,500 jobs), and Tulsa, Oklahoma (700 jobs).
-Noel Brinkerhof
Construction Employment Declines in 324 Out of 337 Cities as Construction Spending Hits 6-Year Low, New November Data Shows (Associated General Contractors of America)
State List of Construction Employment by Metropolitan Area or Division, November 2008-November 2009 (Associated General Contractors of America) (pdf)
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