Construction employment rose by 20,000 in September and the industry’s unemployment rate fell to a six-year low of 8.5 percent, while construction spending increased for the fifth consecutive month in August, according to an analysis of new government data by AGC of America.

Total construction spending hit an unknown level in August because the Census Bureau was unable to release new data as a result of the federal government shutdown according to AGC of America. Association officials cautioned that the impacts of the shutdown will go beyond data as solicitations for many new construction projects come to a halt.

Construction employment expanded in 194 metro areas, declined in 88 and was stagnant in 57 between August 2012 and August 2013, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by AGC of America. Association officials added that despite the widespread gains, construction employment reached peak levels for August in only 19 of 339 metro areas.

Construction employment increased in 26 between July and August and in 35 states for the year, according to an analysis by AGC of America of Labor Department data. Association officials cautioned, however, that construction employment remains below peak levels in most states and warned of the potential impact of a halt in federal construction investments.

There has been little price movement overall in the past few months for either construction materials or bid prices, at least as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ producer price indexes (PPIs). However, the situation could change abruptly.

Government Shutdown Possible Over Differences of Opinion about How to Defund Obamacare  This week, the House Appropriations Committee introduced a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the daily activities of the federal government, from the start of the fiscal year (FY) on Oct. 1 through Dec. 15, 2013.  The CR will fund the government at current post-sequestration levels of $986 billion, which is nearly $20 billion more than House-passed budget levels for FY 2014 and nearly $70 billion lower than the budget levels passed in the Senate for FY 2014.  The CR is necessary because the House and Senate have failed to enact any of their 12 annual appropriations bills.  The length of the bill is intended to allow congressional leaders and the president to deal with the need to raise the nation’s debt ceiling and other budget issues without the threat of a government shutdown.

Construction employment stagnated in August, while the industry unemployment rate fell and a majority of companies reported difficulty finding workers, according to an analysis of new government data and an industry survey by AGC of America. Association officials called for education and immigration reform measures needed to ensure an adequate supply of skilled workers.

Nationwide Survey Finds Most Firms Worry There Are Not Enough Craft Workers Available to Meet Growing Demand for Construction as Officials Call for Immigration and Education Reform to Help Seventy-four percent of construction firms across the country report they are having trouble finding qualified craft workers to fill key spots amid concerns that labor shortages will only get worse according to the results of an industry wide survey released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials called for immigration and education reform measures to help avoid worker shortages.

Total construction spending hit a four-year high in July as private residential and nonresidential activity increased while public spending declined, according to an analysis of new Census Bureau data by AGC of America. Association officials urged lawmakers in Washington to make infrastructure investment a top federal priority before funding runs out at the end of September.

An estimated 1,400 people working for Pittsburgh area construction firms and their suppliers will lose their jobs because a Pennsylvania Senate-passed transportation funding measure failed in the state house, according to an analysis released today by AGC of America.  Those job losses would be three times higher than the number of construction jobs added in the area during the past year and threaten to reverse recent industry job gains, association officials cautioned.