S.C. loses 500 construction jobs from June to July

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A wave of project cancellations led to a drop in construction employment in 26 states and the District of Columbia from June to July, according to an analysis (.pdf) of federal data by the Associated General Contractors of America.

South Carolina saw a decrease of 500 jobs month-to-month, dropping from 107,400 construction jobs in June to 106,900 in July. The minus-0.5% decrease ranked 30th in the nation, according to the data.

In July 2019, the state had 107,000 construction jobs, with the loss of 100, or minus-0.1%, ranking 13th.

“Renewed outbreaks of coronavirus in numerous states likely caused many project owners and investors to pull back on planned construction,” Ken Simonson, AGC chief economist, said in a news release. “Meanwhile, budget problems in state and local governments, most of which started a new fiscal year in July, led to cancellation or postponement of many infrastructure and public facilities projects.”

AGC officials called for federal infrastructure funding and liability reform to bolster the industry.

“Without new federal support, the industry’s recovery will be short-lived, risking new industry layoffs and declining investments in equipment and materials,” CEO Stephen E. Sandherr said. “Rebuilding infrastructure, protecting businesses that are complying with coronavirus safety protocols and stimulating private-sector demand will help sustain the industry’s recovery, protect good-paying jobs and support the economy.”

California lost the most construction jobs from June to July, shedding 14,800, or minus-1.7%. New Mexico’s 5.9% decline (2,900 jobs) was the largest in the country.

New York led 24 states adding jobs with 13,600, or plus-4%.

From July 2019 to July 2020, construction employment dropped in 39 states, with California losing 55,800 jobs, or minus-6.3%. Utah added 8,600 jobs, a 7.8% increase.