Report: B.R. construction employment grew 8% over past year

Construction employment declined in 111 of 337 metro areas throughout the United States between January 2011 and January 2012, but not in Baton Rouge. According to a new report out today by the Associated General Contractors of America, Baton Rouge employed 40,700 in the construction industry as of January—an increase of 3,100 jobs, or 8%, on the year. That was the 48th-best growth rate among the 337 metro areas tracked by AGCA. It was also the best growth rate among metros in Louisiana. The state collectively added just 600 construction jobs on the year, a growth rate of 1%; Houma saw 4% growth, Lafayette grew by 5%, and Lake Charles was up 4%. The New Orleans-Metairie-Kenner metro area posted the largest decline in the state—shedding 3,300 jobs, a drop of 11%. Shreveport-Bossier City lost 800 construction jobs, a 10% decline. Nationally, the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Fla., metro area saw the largest decline in construction work—a loss off 7,100 jobs, or 14%. New Orleans’ construction declines placed it fourth on the list of the largest U.S. metros with the biggest losses. The Atlantic City-Hammonton, N.J., metro area added the highest percentage of new construction jobs—45%—though the gain of 1,700 jobs was only about half the number added in Baton Rouge. You can see the complete state and city rankings here.