By Tom Precious
ALBANY – Add this to the ongoing debate over the state’s unemployment situation: industry executives are voicing concerns over declining construction jobs in New York.
The Associated General Contractors of America reports this morning that the Empire State lost 12,500 construction jobs in the 12 months ending September 2012, or a 4.1 percent decline. That placed New York 38th among states in construction employment activity during the period, the group noted in data it analyzed from federal job reports.
Construction jobs, both for public and private projects, are an important indicator of economic health for states.
The trade group said 22 states, led by Texas and California, saw construction gains during the 12-month period, while New York joined Illinois, New Jersey and Pennsylvania as among the states on the construction job loss list. The group said New York lost 4,700 construction jobs between August and September this year.
The state’s unemployment picture has gotten renewed attention with a growing number of media reports about New York’s relatively high jobless rate – 8.9 percent last month compared to 7.8 percent nationally. The Cuomo administration has pushed back against relying solely on unemployment statistics as a portrayal of the state’s economy.
tagged
Albany | Andrew Cuomo
