Philadelphia Inquirer (11/05/12) Alex Veiga; Matthew Perrone

Hiring in the long-depressed U.S. construction industry will get a boost from the rebuilding that will follow Superstorm Sandy. Construction firms, contractors, and local governments will hire to rebuild or renovate homes, buildings, roads, and bridges that were damaged or destroyed. “This is going to be a net positive, particularly in the mid-Atlantic,” says Sophia Koropeckyj, managing director Moody’s Economy.com. Job growth in construction typically spurs hiring for other jobs, such as architects, real estate agents, and sellers of appliances, building materials, and office equipment. Economists caution that the construction hiring may be only modest and will likely boost the economy only slightly.

Some contractors and construction firms could face a shortage of the skilled workers they need for rebuilding. Many lost jobs and left the industry after the housing meltdown all but froze demand for construction.