Construction jobs increase 2% in Feb. in Prov. metro

CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYMENT increased in 278 metropolitan areas, including the Providence-Fall-River-Warwick metropolitan area, in February, according to the Associated General Contractors of America. Pictured is the Amos House Community Center, at Pine and Friendship streets in Providence, currently under construction. / PBN FILE PHOTO/ MICHAEL SALERNO
CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYMENT increased in 278 metropolitan areas, including the Providence-Fall-River-Warwick metropolitan area, in February, according to the Associated General Contractors of America. Pictured is the Amos House Community Center, at Pine and Friendship streets in Providence, currently under construction. / PBN FILE PHOTO/ MICHAEL SALERNO

PROVIDENCE – Construction employment increased in 278 metropolitan areas, including the Providence-Fall-River-Warwick metropolitan area, in February, according to the Associated General Contractors of America.
The Providence metropolitan area ranked No. 250 out of 358 metro areas for its 2 percent year-over-year growth to 17,800 jobs in February compared with 17,500 in February 2014.
The association said construction employment declined in 36 metropolitan areas and was stagnant in 44, according to an analysis of federal employment data.
“Construction firms continue to add new jobs at a pretty steady clip in most parts of the country,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist, noting that the share of metro areas with construction employment gains was the highest since 2006. “The question is whether declining oil prices, global economic challenges, labor shortages and Washington gridlock will undermine future job gains in the sector.”
Dallas-Plano-Irving, Texas, added the largest number of construction jobs in the past year (12,800 jobs, 11 percent), followed by Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, Colo. (11,600 jobs, 14 percent). The largest percentage gains occurred in Wenatchee, Wash. (38 percent, 600 jobs) and Lake Charles, La. (29 percent, 3,700 jobs).
The largest job losses from February 2014 to February 2015 were in New Orleans-Metairie, La. (-2,700 jobs, -9 percent), followed by Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, Miss. (-1,900 jobs, -18 percent). The largest percentage decline for the past year was in Monroe, Mich. (-23 percent, -700 jobs) followed by Weirton-Steubenville, W.Va.-Ohio (-19 percent, -400 jobs).

No posts to display