Steel Products
Construction Employment Strongest in Western Metro Areas
Written by Sandy Williams
August 2, 2017
Construction employment made the biggest gains in metro areas in June with particular strength in the western U.S., according to an analysis of data by the Associated General Contractors of America. The largest losses were in the middle or eastern parts of the country, noted AGC Chief Economist Ken Simonson.
AGC officials noted that inconsistent metro area job growth was coupled with declining construction spending. The association urges Congress and the White House to “act quickly to fund and finance needed upgrades to the nation’s aging infrastructure.”
“Finding new ways to fund and finance needed infrastructure repairs will help ensure that construction job growth remains both widespread and robust,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. “More important, modernizing our aging and overused public works will make our economy more efficient and help boost overall economic growth.”
{loadposition reserved_message}
Construction employment data analysis from AGC:
Construction employment increased in 264 out of 358 metro areas between June 2016 and June 2017, declined in 57 and stagnated in 37, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that even though most metro areas added construction jobs, the employment gains were particularly pronounced in the western third of the country.
“Western metro areas, from Southern California and Nevada to Oregon and Washington, logged many of the largest absolute and percentage increases in construction employment in the past year,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “In contrast, the metros with the largest job losses were all in the middle or eastern portions of the country.”
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, Calif., added the most construction jobs during the past year (18,100 jobs, 20 percent), followed by Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, Calif., (10,400 jobs, 8 percent); Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, Nev., (9,900 jobs, 18 percent); Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, Ore.-Wash., (8,200 jobs, 13 percent) and Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Fla., (8,200 jobs, 12 percent). The largest percentage gains occurred in the Bloomington, Ill., metro area (63 percent, 1,900 jobs) followed by Lewiston, Idaho-Wash., (29 percent; 400 jobs); Lake Charles, La., (24 percent, 4,700 jobs); Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario; Detroit-Dearborn-Livonia, Mich., (19 percent, 4,200 jobs) and Merced, Calif., (19 percent, 400 jobs).
The largest job losses from June 2016 to June 2017 were in Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas, (-5,200 jobs, -2 percent), followed by Middlesex-Monmouth-Ocean, N.J., (-2,900 jobs, -7 percent); St. Louis, Mo.-Ill., (-2,600 jobs, -4 percent); Kansas City, Mo., (-1,900 jobs, -7 percent) and Toledo, Ohio, (-1,800 jobs, -11 percent). The largest percentage decreases for the year were in Grand Forks, N.D.-Minn., (-21 percent, -1,000 jobs); followed by Danville, Ill., (-17 percent, -100 jobs); Casper, Wyo., (-12 percent, -400 jobs); and Toledo and Charleston, W.Va., (-10 percent, – 700 jobs).

Sandy Williams
Read more from Sandy WilliamsLatest in Steel Products

Northwest Pipe changes name to NWPX Infrastructure
Northwest Pipe changes name to NWPX Infrastructure.

Tariffs, ample domestic supply cause importers to shift or cancel HR import orders
Subdued demand is causing importers to cancel hot-rolled (HR) coil orders and renegotiate the terms of shipments currently enroute to the US, importers say. An executive for a large overseas mill said customers might find it difficult to justify making imports buys after US President Donald Trump doubled the 25% Section 232 tariff on imported steel […]

Drilling activity slows in the US, grows in Canada
Oil and gas drilling activity was mixed this week, according to Baker Hughes. US totals slipped for a sixth straight week, while Canada saw a slight bump in activity.

Commerce finds no Korean OCTG shipments below market value
US Department of Commerce (Commerce) review found no South Korean oil country tubular goods (OCTG) exporters or producers sold products below market value

Drilling activity slows further in US and Canada
Oil and gas drilling activity declined again this week in both the US and Canada, according to Baker Hughes.