Wis. among 10 worst states for construction job losses

A concrete crusher operated by MRD Group, West Milwaukee, breaks up concrete while clearing the way for a new Walmart on July 17 in the village of West Milwaukee. Wisconsin lost 6,900 construction jobs in the past year. (Staff photo by Kevin Harnack)

Wisconsin ranked among the 10 worst states in percentage of construction jobs lost in the last year, according to a new report.

From July 2011 to July 2012, Wisconsin lost 6,900 construction jobs, or  7.7 percent of the state’s total employment in the sector, based on data released Friday by Associated General Contractors of America. Although 30 other states lost construction jobs during the period, only six posted a higher percentage of losses: Alaska, Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri, Alabama and Nevada.

The AGC’s numbers, obtained by analyzing U.S. Labor Department data, also show Wisconsin lost 200 net construction jobs last month. Twenty-seven other states also lost jobs.

Cuts to public construction budgets account for much of the decline, said AGC chief economist Ken Simonson in a news release. AGC officials called on federal lawmakers to focus on improving infrastructure and setting more predictable tax rates.

– Amy Karon