Construction Industry Adds 22,000 Jobs in July as Sector's Unemployment Rate Declines to 7.5 Percent

New government data today show the uneven nature of the construction industry's recovery, as the sector added 22,000 jobs in July, but suffered a pullback in spending in June, according to an analysis by AGC of America. Association officials said that uncertainty about federal funding for a range of infrastructure and construction programs is one reason for the uneven recovery. "Construction employment and spending are both rising at a moderate year-over-year clip, but there have been some setbacks," said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. "While prospects for private construction remain largely favorable, inadequate public investment still threatens to keep too many workers idle." Read the full release here.