Steel Markets
July 7, 2020
AGC: Only Eight States Have Recovered Lost Construction Jobs
Written by Sandy Williams
Only eight states and the District of Columbia have recouped the severe pandemic-induced loss of construction jobs that occurred last spring, according to an analysis of government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials warn that job losses will become even more widespread unless lawmakers promptly renew and expand the loan program that enabled firms to temporarily retain and rehire many workers.
“New spikes in coronavirus cases, along with ongoing pandemic-related costs and revenue losses, are causing ever more private owners, developers and public agencies to delay and cancel projects,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Although single-family homebuilding is gathering steam, multifamily and nonresidential construction activity has stalled, leaving large numbers of workers at risk of losing their jobs as current projects finish up with nothing on the horizon.”
