Construction employment expanded in 197 metro areas between March 2014 and March 2014, according to the Associated General Contractors of America. Employment declined in 87 areas and was stagnant in 55. Association officials noted that construction employment stands to suffer if Congress allows federal highway funding to stop this summer.
“Much of the country experienced relatively robust growth in construction employment during the past year,” said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. “But the fact construction employment remains below prior peak levels in most areas shows just how hard hit the industry was during the downturn and how vulnerable it is to disruptions, such as a potential lapse in federal highway funding.”