CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYMENT REMAINS NEARLY FLAT IN APRIL BUT RISES 1.1 PERCENT FROM A YEAR AGO; UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FALLS TO 14.5 PERCENT, A FOUR-YEAR LOW

WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 7, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — The construction industry lost 2,000 jobs in April, following similar declines of 3,000 in March and 1,000 in February, but still added 63,000 jobs over the past year as the industry unemployment rate shrank to 14.5 percent—the lowest April level in four years, according to an analysis of new federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said that lack of long-term federal highway and transit funding, along with other infrastructure budget cuts, threatens to limit construction job growth.