Construction Employment Increased in 34 States, D.C. Between December and January

Construction employment expanded in two-thirds of all states in January as the industry showed signs of emerging from a six-year slump, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data. Association officials cautioned however that the industry's recovery remains fragile and that current and looming federal budget cuts threaten to drag down construction employment in numerous states. "These results show that contractors are finding work in more parts of the country than they have for many months," said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. "Further gains appear likely but could be derailed if lawmakers continue to make indiscriminate cuts to key construction and infrastructure programs." Read the full press release here. The news was covered by local TV and radio, the Oklahoman, Reno Gazette Journal, Inside Tucson Business, Albuquerque Business First, Equipment World, the Commercial Record, Associated Press, Tallahassee Democrat, Jackson Clarion Ledger, Stateline, Austin Business Journal, Birmingham Business Journal, Kansas City Business Journal, Business First of Louisville, Phoenix Business Journal and the Wichita Business Journal.