Springfield metro a bright spot for construction employment

While roughly two-thirds of the country lost construction jobs during the 12-month period that ended Nov. 30, the Springfield metropolitan statistical area was one of the exceptions.

That's according to a Jan. 5 report from the Associated General Contractors of America, which analyzed federal Department of Labor Department data.

In the Springfield metro area, employers added 1,500 jobs in construction, logging and mining during the yearlong reporting period. The 16% increase put the sector's area employment at 11,000 jobs as of Nov. 30.

Similarly, Missouri as a whole recorded an 8% increase to land at 138,400 jobs, according to the AGC report.

Elsewhere in the country, it was a different story.

AGC reports only 34% of the nation's metro areas added construction jobs during the reporting period.

“Canceled and postponed projects appear to be more common than new starts for far too many contractors,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist, in the report. “Our association’s 2021 Construction Hiring and Business Outlook Survey found three times more contractors have experienced postponements and cancellations than new or expanded projects.”

AGC officials have a bearish outlook for construction employment throughout much of the country.

AGC CEO Stephen Sandherr said the coronavirus pandemic is continuing to affect the industry.

“Unless market conditions change rapidly, this year is likely to prove very challenging for many construction employers," he said in the report.