R.I. construction employment drops 11%

ARLINGTON,Va. – Construction employment in the Providence-Fall River-Warwick Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) fell 11 percent from 27,300 in July 2008 to 24,300 in July 2009, according to figures released yesterday.
An analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America found that job losses occurred in the construction sector in 319 MSAs, with 11 seeing job growth and six remaining the same.
Declines of greater than 30 percent in construction employment happened in six MSAs – Reno-Sparks, Nev. (33 percent); Wenatchee, Wash. (32 percent); Duluth, Minn. (32 percent); Tuscon, Ariz. (32 percent); Leominster-Fitchburg, Mass. (30 percent); and Redding, Calif. (30 percent) – while two communities saw double-digit increases – Columbus, Ind. (14 percent); and Weirton-Steubenville, W.Va.-Ohio (13 percent).
The numbers reflect the decline in the construction sector of the economy prior to any broad-based effects of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, otherwise known as the stimulus bill.
“It is difficult to understand why more communites aren’t moving to put their stimulus funds to work while they are experiencing these kinds of losses,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the AGC’s chief executive officer.
Construction employment in Rhode Island fell 11 percent to 19,700 in July, the same as for the metro area. Construction jobs declined 15 percent in the period, from 142,000 to 120,200, while Connecticut saw a 20 percent drop, to 54,500 from 68,500.
Only two states saw increases in construction employment, North Dakota, 3 percent, and Mississippi, 1 percent.
Construction employment in the New Bedford MSA decline 17 percent, while the Worcester area experienced a 10 percent decline.
To view the complete data by state, click here.