TRIAD – A report released by a construction industry trade group offers a hint of hope for construction firms and the people who rely on building for a paycheck.

Construction employment increased in 26 states from October to November, including in North Carolina, according to an analysis released last week through the Associated General Contractors of America.

From October to November, 23 states shed construction jobs, an improvement from the month-over-month change from September to October, when 33 states lost construction jobs, AGC reports. The trade group bases its report on figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“It is too early to say if the pickup reflects improving economic conditions or a short-lived break in the weather. Only eight of the states with gains in November had increases the month before,” said Ken Simonson, AGC chief economist.

The numbers may reflect the general improvement in the economy and the impact of the federal stimulus, known formally as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

“The stimulus kept a floor on the construction market that wouldn’t have been there this year. With the stock market improving, hospitals, universities and other not-for-profits are getting back into construction,” said Brian Turmail, spokesman for AGC out of its Arlington, Va., national office.

After declining during the first seven months of the year, construction employment in North Carolina has recorded incremental gains the last three out of four months.

The state’s construction employment market improved 0.4 percent from October to November to 188,700 jobs, or a gain of 800 jobs, AGC reports.

But the impact of the recession is starkly reflected in annualized figures. Since November of last year, the number of construction jobs in North Carolina is off 16.5 percent, or a setback of 37,400 jobs, AGC reports.

pjohnson@hpe.com | 888-3528