Construction firms added jobs in 39 states over the past 12 months, while employment nearly stabilized in the remainder, according to an analysis released today by AGC of America of Labor Department data. Association officials cautioned that the industry’s recovery was still relatively fragile, noting that a number of states experiencing large annual gains lost jobs during the past month.

Construction employers added 17,000 jobs in November as the sector’s employment hit the highest level since August 2009, and the industry unemployment rate fell to 8.6 percent, according to an analysis of new government data by AGC of America. Association officials noted that the new employment figures come as construction spending levels hit a four-year high in October.

An unusual surge in public construction in October pushed total construction spending to its highest level since May 2009 despite a dip in both private residential and nonresidential activity, according to an analysis of new Census Bureau data by AGC of America.

Construction employment expanded in 215 metro areas, declined in 74 and was stagnant in 50 between October 2012 and October 2013, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by AGC.  Association officials added that despite the widespread jobs gains, construction employment remains below peak levels in 315 metro areas.

Construction employment increased in 39 states over the past 12 months, the most widespread gains since April 2012, according to an analysis today by AGC of America of Labor Department data. Association officials said action on needed infrastructure investments for water and transportation projects would help support continued employment growth for the industry.

Construction employment hit a 50-month high as employers added 11,000 jobs in October, the fifth consecutive month of sector job gains, and the industry unemployment rate fell to 9 percent, according to an analysis of new government data by AGC of America.

Construction employment rose by 20,000 in September and the industry’s unemployment rate fell to a six-year low of 8.5 percent, while construction spending increased for the fifth consecutive month in August, according to an analysis of new government data by AGC of America.

The House and Senate were unable find compromise and pass a continuing resolution (CR) by last night’s 12:00 a.m. deadline. Congress failed to enact any of the twelve appropriations bills that annually are necessary to fund government functions. Therefore, as of today, the federal government has been shutdown, furloughing about 800,000 federal workers and suspending most non-essential federal programs and services. For direct federal construction contracts, the vast majority of ongoing and already awarded contracts are not impacted by the shutdown. However, pending solicitations and awards, including task orders for existing multiple award contracts, will be delayed until the shutdown is over. In addition, agency action on permitting and project management decisions will likely face delays.

Total construction spending hit an unknown level in August because the Census Bureau was unable to release new data as a result of the federal government shutdown according to AGC of America. Association officials cautioned that the impacts of the shutdown will go beyond data as solicitations for many new construction projects come to a halt.

Construction employment expanded in 194 metro areas, declined in 88 and was stagnant in 57 between August 2012 and August 2013, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by AGC of America. Association officials added that despite the widespread gains, construction employment reached peak levels for August in only 19 of 339 metro areas.