California construction jobs up in February

By Roger Showley
Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at 6 a.m.

Construction rose in California in February but fell back a bit in San Diego.
California added 15,500 construction jobs from January to February, far outpacing all other states.

But it still ranks 18th in year-over-year improvement, according to the Associated General Contractors of America.

Drawn from last week's labor statistics, the AGC list ranked the District of Columbia first in year-over-year percentage improvement -- up 15.8 percent to 11,000 jobs.

And Texas ranked first in total construction jobs, 592,100. It gained 31,500 over the past 12 months but lost 4,300 from January. California was up only 6,400 from February 2010.

Other big states included: Florida, 336,900 jobs, up 4,400 for the month but down 15,800 for the year; Illinois, 201,700, up 900 for the month, down 2,000 for the year; and New York, 293,300, down 4,100 for the month and down 14,200 for the year.

San Diego previously was reported as having lost 100 construction jobs from January and 1,600 from February 2010 to stand at 53,200.

"These are certainly the some of the best state-by-state numbers the industry has seen in quite some time," said Ken Simonson, chief economist for the contractors group. "But it is too early to tell whether this is the start of a positive trend or the rebound that comes with a February thaw."

Association officials said construction unemployment nationally remains above 20 percent as construction spending declines and materials prices rise.

"If we can find ways to stimulate private-sector demand, cut red tape and address aging infrastructure, we will put millions to work and boost overall economic growth," said Stephen E. Sandherr, AGC executive officer.

roger.showley@uniontrib.com, (619) 293-1286; Twitter: rmshowley; Facebook: Roger Showley

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011 ... -february/