New jobs for construction workers are a bit of a mixed bag all across the country, but Iowa is one state that looks ready for a strong upswing in construction jobs this summer. Local news station KCRG reports a bevy of new projects are lined up across the state, and construction crews look to have plenty of work.
The recession took its toll on the Iowa construction industry just as it did the rest of the country, but the state had to deal with massive flooding as well last year. When other states began to recover, many of Iowa's construction projects were put on hold as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) came in and began helping with the clean-up.
Now, however, jobs that were put off due to the flooding are being approved and contractors are going back to work, reports the news source. The city of Cedar Rapids is a prime example. In a nearby town, a new railroad is being built that will connect to the Central Corridor, a major Midwestern rail line. The U.S. Cellular Convention Center is also being worked on, and the new Federal Courthouse is almost ready to open its doors.
For some residents, the construction is almost too much - it's not uncommon for detours and traffic jams to pop up due to the constant construction.
"I usually try to go out all around it if I can just because all the construction and the traffic," said resident Erin Ward. However, Ward says it's a convenience she'll gladly deal with it if it means more jobs. "My nephew and my son work in construction, excavating business, so there’s a lot of work and they have to keep the guys busy so it's great if they keep this going."
In fact, the construction industry has recovered so rapidly that some leaders in Iowa have expressed fears that there may actually be a shortage of skilled construction workers in the state, according to The Press-Citizen.
Contractors in Iowa or any other state need to be sure they have the equipment to get the job done when it's time to go to work. The online auction site IronPlanet offers a wide array of excavators, backhoes, aerial work platforms and much more, often at a more affordable price than buying new.
