Spokane is 3rd-fastest growing market for construction jobs

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — A Washington state region is the nation's third-fastest growing market for new construction jobs.

The Spokesman-Review reported Wednesday that the Associated General Contractors of America says Spokane added 2,600 construction jobs from May 2018 to May 2019.

The group's report says the 18% increase placed the city 279 miles (449 kilometers) east of Seattle in the top three percentage gains in construction jobs for U.S. metropolitan areas.

The trade association's CEO says that in addition to an Amazon.com Inc. fulfillment center, ongoing road projects and commercial construction in the Spokane area are outstripping the available supply of construction workers.

The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics says construction employment in the Spokane-Spokane Valley area expanded from a post-recession low of 10,100 employees in May 2011 to 17,250 in May 2019.