Between September 2008 and 2009, construction employment shrunk in 325 of the nation’s 337 largest metro areas, according to the Associated General Contractors of America. Phoenix saw the largest drop, losing 35,100 jobs. Reno-Sparks, Nevada, had the largest percentage decline with a 35 percent drop in construction employment. Other cities with large declines include Kokomo, Indiana (31 percent), Redding, California (29 percent), El Centro, California (29 percent), and Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, Washington (28 percent). Additionally, 38 communities logged construction employment declines of 20 percent or more during the past year.
In terms of job growth, Columbus, Indiana, led the way with a 15 percent increase. Seven other cities posted increases in construction employment, including Anderson, Indiana (6 percent), Bismarck, North Dakota (3 percent), Tulsa, Oklahoma (3 percent), and Baton Rouge, Louisiana (1 percent). Four other cities saw no change in construction employment.
