Springfield construction jobs dip 11 percent on year

The dismal employment market persists for the construction industry, and Springfield is not immune, according to figures released Monday by the Associated General Contractors of America, via the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Just 10 of 337 metropolitan statistical areas reported construction job increases between February 2009 and February 2010, with 230 reporting double-digit-percentage decreases.

In Missouri, Springfield posted a loss of 900 jobs, or 11 percent, for that 12-month period, while the statewide loss was 23 percent. Houston, Texas, lost the largest number of jobs - 25,500 - while Monroe, Mich., posted the highest percentage lost, at 41 percent.

"In virtually every area, construction workers continued to suffer the brunt of the recession," said AGC Chief Economist Ken Simonson in a news release. "Job losses in far too many cities were simply, and sadly, staggering."

Simonson said the industry continues to be hit by weak demand, with annual construction spending hitting an eight-year low in February. Single-family construction and the federal stimulus will boost job numbers in a few areas this spring, he said, but high vacancy rates and tight government budgets will keep numbers low in most of the country.[[In-content Ad]]