JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
Across the nation construction employment is up to a nearly three-year high -- but the same can't be said here in the Capital City.
According to the Associated General Contractors of America, construction jobs in Jackson dropped by 23 percent or 2,500 jobs in the last year.
Out of 337 metropolitan areas in the country, Jackson comes in next to last at 336.
The Associated General Contractors of America blames the downturn locally on "tax and fiscal uncertainty in Washington." They say that uncertainty is making business and other owners delay planned projects.
"There is a lot of cash out there in the market, but owners, simply are not willing to make that investment. I think a lot of that is due to the uncertainty that we have, owners not knowing what fiscal policy is going to be put in place. Not knowing what tax policy is going to be put in place. I think we are in a wait and see mode to see what happens with the election," said Executive Director of the Associated General Contractors of Mississippi Lee Nations.
Nations also said Mississippi traditionally lags behind the rest of the nation in construction job recovery.
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