Construction employment declined over the past year in 157 of 337 metropolitan areas, nationally, but the Binghamton area bucked the trend, according to the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). Construction employment did stay steady in 60 regions and increased in 120 regions, including Binghamton and Utica–Rome. The Binghamton area increased from 3,800 construction jobs […]
Construction employment declined over the past year in 157 of 337 metropolitan areas, nationally, but the Binghamton area bucked the trend, according to the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC).
Construction employment did stay steady in 60 regions and increased in 120 regions, including Binghamton and Utica–Rome.
The Binghamton area increased from 3,800 construction jobs in April 2011 to 4,000 jobs in April 2012 and the Utica–Rome area rose from 2,900 industry jobs in April 2011 to 3,000 jobs in April 2012.
The Syracuse area declined from 11,000 construction jobs in April 2011 to 10,500 jobs a year later. New York State construction employment fell from 296,200 jobs in April 2011 to 291,600 jobs this April.
Construction employment continues to suffer from weak demand due to a decline in public-sector investments, the AGC contends.
“As public investments in infrastructure and other forms of construction continue to decline, construction employment is taking a hit in many parts of the country,” Ken Simonson, the AGC’s chief economist, said in a news release. “Even in places where the construction employment is increasing, the figures would have been better if the public sector wasn’t holding things back.”
The Chicago–Joliet–Naperville area of Illinois lost the most construction jobs, 6,500, or a 6 percent decline. The Indianapolis region gained the most jobs, adding 6,100 positions, or 16 percent.
