R.I. second in nation for construction growth in January

CONSTRUCTION HAS begun on the parking garage for the tenants of the South Street Landing project. Gilbane Building Co., of Providence, is the project manager and builder. Construction employment grew 12.7 percent year over year in January, putting Rhode Island second in the nation for construction job growth, according to the Associated General Contractors of America. / PBN FILE PHOTO/ MICHAEL SALERNO
CONSTRUCTION HAS begun on the parking garage for the tenants of the South Street Landing project. Gilbane Building Co., of Providence, is the project manager and builder. Construction employment grew 12.7 percent year over year in January, putting Rhode Island second in the nation for construction job growth, according to the Associated General Contractors of America. / PBN FILE PHOTO/ MICHAEL SALERNO

PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island ranked second for a 12.7 percent year-over-year increase in construction employment in January, according to the Associated General Contractors of America.
Construction employment in the Ocean State totaled 18,700 in January compared with 16,600 in January 2015.
Hawaii was first on the list for year-over-year construction employment growth of 15.6 percent. Nevada was third for 10.2 percent growth, and Massachusetts was fourth for 9.9 percent growth.
North Dakota was last on the list for its 14.4 percent construction employment decline year over year in January. The association said Monday that the state was hurt by the steep drop in oil and gas drilling and coal mining.
The association said 44 states and the District of Columbia added construction jobs between January 2015 and January 2016, according to its analysis of U.S. Labor Department data. Association officials said the new employment figures show strong demand for construction except in some energy-producing states.
“Construction remains vibrant in nearly every state and is adding workers at a faster clip than other industries in much of the country,” Ken Simonson, chief economist for the association, said in a statement. “Contractors report they are optimistic that demand for construction will continue, but they worry about finding enough qualified workers.”

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