Construction firms added jobs in 39 states between September 2013 and September 2014 while construction employment increased in 34 states and the District of Columbia between August and September, according to an analysis today of Labor Department data by AGC of America. 

Construction employers added 16,000 jobs and the sector's unemployment rate fell to 7 percent, the lowest rate for September in years, according to an analysis released today by AGC.

Construction employment expanded in 220 metro areas, declined in 73 and was stagnant in 46 between August 2013 and August 2014, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by AGC of America.  Association officials added that construction spending climbed to $961 billion from $915.3 billion between August 2013 and August 2014, a 5 percent increase, according to federal data also released today.

With Oct. 1 marking the beginning of fiscal year 2015, the 31-member organization Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC) urged Congress to find a way to pay for, and pass, a new long-term surface transportation measure as soon as possible.  They cautioned that failure to act would lead to another self-imposed funding crisis that would undermine vital road, highway and transit repairs.

AGC of America will provide highway work zone safety training classes next year thanks to a federal safety grant the association earned. The association will use the $135,000 Susan Harwood Training Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to offer the safety training classes designed to prevent injuries among highway, street and bridge construction workers, officials said.

Construction firms added jobs in 36 states between August 2013 and August 2014 while construction employment increased in 28 states between July and August, according to an analysis today of Labor Department data by AGC of America. Association officials noted that construction activity continues to spread across most of the nation even as employment gains remain uneven by month and state.

Construction industry employment reached a five-year high in August as the sector added 20,000 jobs and its unemployment rate fell to 7.7 percent, the lowest rate for August in seven years, according to an analysis by AGC of America. Association officials cautioned, however, that the latest figures reinforce survey results the association recently released showing many contractors are having a tough time finding enough qualified workers.

All major categories of construction spending increased in July and total construction reached the highest level since December 2008, according to an analysis by AGC of America. Association officials welcomed the robust spending figures, but cautioned that growing demand will put new pressure on an already tight labor market.

Construction employment expanded in 223 metro areas, declined in 72 and was stagnant in 44 between July 2013 and July 2014, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by AGC of America.  As employment grows, 25 percent of firms report labor shortages are forcing them to turn down work according to a new survey conducted by SmartBrief, an industry leader in curated business news and custom content, in partnership with the association.

"The AGC Alternative," the first of its kind, nation-wide private insurance exchange to serve the commercial construction industry, begins offering quotes todayto firms belonging to AGC of America, association officials announced.  The private exchange, developed in collaboration with Willis North America, a unit of Willis Group Holdings, the global risk advisor, insurance and reinsurance broker, features comprehensive insurance coverage from Aetna, MetLife and Group Vision Service as part of its introductory suite of benefits.