Analysis: Calif. tops in new construction jobs

Analysis: Calif. tops in new construction jobs


Has the building freeze finally ended? California had the largest
construction gain in the nation in February – adding 15,500 jobs, or 2.7
percent, from January, says an Associated General Contractors of America analysis of state employment data from the U.S. Labor Department.
Following California in fast-growing construction jobs was Georgia
(5,000 jobs, 3.7 percent); North Carolina (4,500 jobs, 2.7 percent); and
Florida (4,400 jobs, 1.3 percent). Construction employment jumped in 30
states between January and February; 18 states lost jobs; three were
unchanged.













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Curiously, Texas lost the most construction jobs in February (4,300,
or an 0.7 percent drop). Next came New York (4,100 jobs, or 1.4
percent); Colorado (2,700 jobs, or 2.4 percent); and Arizona (2,600
jobs, or 2.4 percent).
Construction employment declined in the year ended in February in 32
states. California added 6,400 jobs in the past year — 6th best in the
nation. Texas was best (up 31,500); followed by Pennsylvania, Tennessee,
Virginia and Michigan.
AGCA economist Ken Simonson: "These are certainly some of the best
state-by-state numbers the industry has seen in quite some time … But
it is too early to tell whether this is the start of a positive trend or
the rebound that comes with a February thaw."

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/construction-293925-jobs-ended.html