• Associated General Contractors of America analyzes federal employment data each month, and it found that July had fewer construction jobs than June in 165 of the United States' 337 metropolitan areas.
• In the month, 123 areas had more jobs than in June, and 49 stayed the same, and AGC said the increases were in locations where the private sector seems to be recovering from the recession more quickly.
• The organization tracks both numbers of jobs lost or gained and percentage changes. It said Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, Ill., lost the highest number of jobs – 6,500 – while Springfield, Mass.-Conn. lost the biggest portion of its jobs at 28%. The biggest percentage gain was in Bakersfield-Delano, Calif., and the highest number of new jobs was in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, Calif.

From the release:

Construction employment declined in 165 out of 337 metropolitan areas between July 2011 and July 2012, increased in 123 and was stagnant in 49, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. ...