February 2009 Vol. 64 No.2
Business
AGCA Forecasts Major Payroll Cuts
According to new employment and business forecast figures released by the Associated General Contractors of America, an estimated two-thirds of the nation’s non-residential construction companies plan to cut payroll.
The layoffs will result in a 30 percent decline in the number of people working on construction projects.
Many construction companies experienced significant slowdowns beginning late in 2008, resulting in a 10 percent decline in the number of construction workers since 2006.
According to the forecasts, AGC member companies expect declining activity in every type of construction market, with 92 percent of building contractors and 93 percent of road builders expecting or experiencing declining activity. More than 83 percent of utility contractors expect declines, as do 77 percent of water resource contractors.
The good news is, planned investments in infrastructure projects as part of a stimulus package would dramatically improve the employment and business outlook for the year. Eighty-five percent of non-residential construction companies would either cancel layoffs or add new employees if states embarked on stimulus-funded infrastructure projects. Construction companies would increase payrolls 25 percent if the stimulus included new infrastructure investments, and would invest an average of $500,000 in new equipment if they received new work. 703.548.3118, www.agc.org
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