A new report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that unemployment rates in construction dropped in 49 states during the month of April. According to the report, the number of construction jobs rose by 45,000 as year-to-date construction jobs are up 108,000.
Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Utah were the five states with the lowest construction unemployment rate, four of which also reported the lowest unemployment rates in April. The construction unemployment rate in Wyoming for April was 1.3 percent, followed by South Dakota (1.9 percent), Nebraska (2.3 percent), North Dakota (3 percent), and Utah (3.2 percent).
West Virginia, Georgia, California, Rhode Island, and Connecticut were the five states with the highest construction unemployment rates in April. West Virginia's unemployment rate for construction was 11.1 percent. Georgia (10.8 percent), California (10.6 percent), Rhode Island (10.5 percent), and Connecticut (10.3 percent) followed.
An improving economy and better weather were attributed to the decrease in unemployment rates among construction workers in April, Associated Builders and Contractors reported. The sectors that saw the greatest increase in construction spending included manufacturing, lodging, office, commercial, and multi-family.
Related Stories
| Aug 11, 2010
HNTB, Arup, Walter P Moore among SMPS National Marketing Communications Awards winners
The Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) is pleased to announce the 2009 recipients of the 32nd Annual National Marketing Communications Awards (MCA). This annual competition is the longest-standing, most prestigious awards program recognizing excellence in marketing and communications by professional services firms in the design and building industry.
| Aug 11, 2010
New book provides energy efficiency guidance for hotels
Recommendations on achieving 30% energy savings over minimum code requirements are contained in the newly published Advanced Energy Design Guide for Highway Lodging. The energy savings guidance for design of new hotels provides a first step toward achieving a net-zero-energy building.
| Aug 11, 2010
Turner Building Cost Index dips nearly 4% in second quarter 2009
Turner Construction Company announced that the second quarter 2009 Turner Building Cost Index, which measures nonresidential building construction costs in the U.S., has decreased 3.35% from the first quarter 2009 and is 8.92% lower than its peak in the second quarter of 2008. The Turner Building Cost Index number for second quarter 2009 is 837.
| Aug 11, 2010
Turner, Structure Tone top BD+C's ranking of the 50 largest office contractors
A ranking of the Top 50 Office Contractors based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit http://www.BDCnetwork.com/Giants
| Aug 11, 2010
AGC unveils comprehensive plan to revive the construction industry
The Associated General Contractors of America unveiled a new plan today designed to revive the nation’s construction industry. The plan, “Build Now for the Future: A Blueprint for Economic Growth,” is designed to reverse predictions that construction activity will continue to shrink through 2010, crippling broader economic growth.
| Aug 11, 2010
PCL Construction, HITT Contracting among nation's largest commercial building contractors, according to BD+C's Giants 300 report
A ranking of the Top 50 Commercial Contractors based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit http://www.BDCnetwork.com/Giants