Baton Rouge was one of 67 U.S. cities to report year-to-year construction job increases in December. The Capital Region added 300 construction jobs from December 2009, bringing the total up to 40,200, according to figures released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. The AGC says construction employment dropped in 232 out of the 337 metro areas it tracks, because of severe winter weather and the winding down of a number of stimulus and other temporary federal construction programs. Louisiana cities fared better than average: Shreveport-Bossier City, Houma-Thibodaux and Lake Charles all saw an increase in construction jobs, while Lafayette was unchanged. New Orleans was the only metro area in the state to report a drop in construction jobs, down 800 jobs, or 3%, from December 2009. Hanford, Calif., was the biggest percentage gainer, adding 200 jobs from December 2009, or a 22% increase. Napa, Calif., was the biggest loser, shedding 1,000 construction jobs, or 36%.
B.R. gains construction jobs in December
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