B.R., Lafayette, Lake Charles see major construction employment drops

Baton Rouge, Lafayette and Lake Charles all saw significant drops in construction employment in June, when compared with figures a year ago. According to the Associated General Contractors of America, the number of construction jobs in metro Baton Rouge dropped by 2,700, or 7%, from June 2010. There were 35,800 people locally working in the construction industry during a period in which the local market has been lacking in projects. That put Baton Rouge 290th out of 337 U.S. metro areas for percentage gains in construction jobs since June 2010. Lafayette fared worse, dropping 700 jobs, or 11%, to rank 326th overall. Lake Charles had a 6% decrease, or 500 jobs, to come in at 278th. Houma-Thibodaux was once again ranked among the national leaders, adding 700 construction jobs, a 13% gain, for a total of 6,000. That put Houma-Thibodaux No. 8 in the country. Shreveport also added 700 jobs, an 8% gain, giving the city 9,700 construction jobs. New Orleans lost 400 construction jobs, a 1% decrease. The AGC says construction employment in June went up in 149 metro areas, stayed level in 47, and dropped in 141.