Toledo-area construction employment rises

6/28/2012

Construction employment in the Toledo area increased 7 percent from May, 2011, to May, 2012, according to the Association General Contractors of America.

That ranked Toledo in a tie for 32nd among 337 U.S. metropolitan areas, according to the association, which analyzes federal employment data. Toledo went from 11,200 construction workers last May to 12,000 last month.

Other area cities didn't fare as well. Sandusky and Lima, Ohio, did not see any change, and Monroe had a 24 percent drop -- from 2,100 to 1,600.

Nationally, construction employment declined in 164 metro areas, increased in 126, and stayed the same in 47.

Michigan's construction employment fell 3 percent, while Ohio's grew 3 percent. Only Akron, with a 14 percent rise, ranked higher than Toledo among Ohio and Michigan metro areas.