Construction employment increased in 139 out of 337 metropolitan areas between December 2011 and December 2012, declined in 131 and was stagnant in 65, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that growing private sector demand for new construction projects boosted employment in a slight plurality of metro areas.

Construction employment expanded in two-thirds of all states in December and in half the nation last year as the industry showed signs of emerging from a six-year slump, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data. Association officials noted that contractors responding to a recent survey expect to add more workers in 2013.

Prices for construction materials inched down in December, closing out a year of relatively subdued changes in both materials costs and bid prices, according to an analysis of new federal figures released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the price decline was likely to be temporary, noting that the vast majority of contractors predict materials prices will rise in 2013.

Significantly more construction firms are planning to add new staff than plan to cut staff while demand for many types of private sector construction projects should increase this year according to survey results released today by the Associated General Contractors of America and Computer Guidance Corporation.  The survey, conducted as part of Tentative Signs of a Recovery: The 2013 Construction Industry Hiring and Business Outlook, provides a generally optimistic outlook for the year even as firms worry about rising costs and declining public sector demand for construction.

Construction employment declined in 151 out of 337 metropolitan areas between November 2011 and November 2012, increased in 126 and was stagnant in 60, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America.  Association officials noted that metro areas in New York and New Jersey in particular experienced significant construction declines in the first full month after Hurricane Sandy.

Construction employers added 30,000 jobs in December while the industry's unemployment rate hit 13.5 percent, according to an analysis of new federal data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that the monthly increase was the largest in nearly two years, driven primarily by increases in private sector demand for construction.

Construction spending dipped from October to November, but resolution of the uncertainty regarding federal taxes for 2013 should unleash more private construction investment, according to an analysis of new federal data released today by AGC.  

Barely one-third of states added construction jobs on either a monthly or annual basis in November, as the prospect of a more severe contraction in 2013 keeps hiring down, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data. Association officials noted that the threat of the looming fiscal cliff’s spending cuts and tax increases is offsetting slight growth in construction spending and keeping employment levels down.

“ Aside from pursuing my Bachelor’s degree (in Construction Management), I am also working on three minors in Spanish, architecture and business administration.  I stay heavily involved with the CM program and strive to give back to the program by participating on one of the school’s ASC competition teams as well as taking leadership roles in the extra-curricular student groups.  I currently serve as president of the Associated Students of Construction Management and as vice president of our DBIA student chapter.  I plan to graduate in the spring of 2013 and hope to begin work in commercial construction and eventually reach my goal of project management.  Thanks to you, I am now one step closer to achieving my dreams.”

Construction materials costs dropped in November, aided by a plunge in diesel prices along with smaller decreases in a variety of other inputs, according to an analysis of new federal figures released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that some of the price declines may be related to the fact that the threat of the fiscal cliff is already having an impact on demand for construction and related materials.