State’s construction employment ebbs in August

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Wisconsin lost 1,600 construction jobs from July to August, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released on Tuesday.

The state’s construction industry employed 115,600 people in August, down from 117,200 the month before. The seasonally adjusted figures were reported Tuesday by the Associated General Contractors of America, a national trades group that drew on data collected by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Despite the month-to-month decrease in construction employment, Wisconsin had 6,400 more construction jobs in August 2016 than in the same month the year before. It was one of 36 states to add construction jobs over that year-long period.

Wisconsin’s job loss from July to August also put it with the majority. Twenty-five states and the District of Columbia lost jobs during that month-long period.

“The construction market has cooled off in recent months but continues to outperform the overall economy in most states, with solid year-over-year job gains,” said Ken Simonson, AGC chief economist. “Despite some slowing in public construction, apartments and manufacturing projects, contractors in many states say they would be hiring more employees if they could find enough qualified workers.” Follow @TDR_WLJDan