Construction gaining momentum in some states

Construction employment is beginning to stabilize in Florida, as the number of jobs inched up 0.8 percent in June from May.

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Still, year-over-year construction employment in the Sunshine State was down 7.2 percent, which translates to about 28,000 jobs, according to an analysis of federal employment by Associated General Contractors.

The largest year-over-year increase was in Kansas, where construction employment rose 7.7 percent, or 4,400 jobs. The largest percentage job decrease compared to June 2009 was in Nevada – down 24.4 percent, or 19,500 jobs.

Read more: Construction employment gaining momentum - South Florida Business Journal

Big companies pushing for work in Haiti

Several companies are vying for Haitian cleanup and rebuilding contracts and will need workers when the money starts flowing. According to a report in Thursday's Sun Sentinel, some companies have spent millions of dollars preparing for the day when they receive contracts to begin work.

AshBritt, Inc., based in Pompano Beach, and Bergeron Emergency Services of Pembroke Pines are each spending huge sums of money hoping to cash in when more than $5 billion earmarked for recovery in Haiti begins to flow.

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AshBritt's CEO estimates his firm has invested $20 million to build a permanent encampment for workers in Haiti that includes living quarters, a mess hall, an infirmary and a staff medic.Randall Perkins says, "we have spent months with consultants to understand the maze of how money is going to be spent."

The head of Bergeron Emergency Services, J.R. Bergeron, acknowledges that his Haitian investment has been about $750,000 to date.

Despite the money pledged for Haiti's reconstruction very little has happened. According to a congressional report issued last month, just 2 percent of the $5.3 billion in near-term aid pledges has been delivered.The responsibility for disbursing the funds that do come in rests with the 26-member reconstruction commission led by Haitian Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive and former U.S. President Bill Clinton.

According to some estimates, the earthquake destroyed more than 100,000 homes, 1,300 schools and 50 hospitals, along with the presidential palace and most government ministries and offices. The resulting rubble would fill the Louisiana Superdome five times.

DRC Group, based in Mobile, Ala., currently seeking an Engineering Manager, and Ceres Environmental Services Inc., of Brooklyn Park, Minn., also have established a presence in Haiti.

Randall Perkins says, "they need outside expertise, and there's going to be lots of money coming in from abroad to make that happen."

The latest on Haiti Construction Jobs

Millions of construction professionals out of work, not just in the United States, but worldwide; an entire country devastated 6 months ago by an earthquake and in dire need of rebuilding. Yet,6 months later, more building Industry workers are out of work and, according to the Irishtimes.com,

"Six months after the huge earthquake – with moutains of rubble remaining, over a million still homeless and conditions in the camps deplorable – progress is being stalled by glacially slow decision-making, private greed and struggles to get aid through"    -  read more

Revelations of mismanagement in the rebuilding of Haiti if reported accurately, would likely reach the level of the BP Oil debacle. Clearly, the construction jobs are required and will bring needed relief to building pros everywhere. Construction companies are as frustrated as workers. The survival of many building companies is at stake. This work will save millions of Haitians, but also tens of thousands of American workers and their companies.

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Any progress from the Haitian leadership? According to the Associated Press, 

"Haiti's president handed out medals to celebrities, aid-group directors and politicians for post-earthquake work Monday in a ceremony designed to beat back criticism of an uneven recovery that has left 1.6 million people homeless and destitute six months to the day since the disaster. Twenty-three honorees — including actor Sean Penn, CNN anchor Anderson Cooper and the head of the U.N. peacekeeping mission — crossed a podium in front of the crushed, unrepaired national palace to steady applause. Some smiling, some solemn, each received medals and certificates deeming them Knights of the National Order of Honor and Merit."         -read more

I was surprised to see Anderson Cooper take part in this waste of time and money. The time for giving out medals is 10 years from now when most of the rebuilding is completed. Not now, with more than a million people still waiting for shelter.

We keep our eyes open for any and all signs of hiring and get word to you immediately.
Hang in there, the jobs are coming...once the medals get handed out we suppose...

Mike