Charlotte’s construction job growth is surging. Why one group says it’s at risk
The Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia metro area added more than 6,000 construction jobs over the past year, but without a new federal transit bill, the momentum could stall, a national group says.
Between May 2025 and May 2026, construction employment in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia metro area grew from 83,300 positions to 89,700, according to an analysis of federal data by the Associated General Contractors of America. It places the region among the top five major metro areas for new construction jobs added in the past year.
Macrina Wilkins, the association’s director of market insights, said this growth is at risk if Congress is unable to pass a new bill for highway and transit funding before the current federal highway and transit reauthorization law expires at the end of September.
“It is hard to see how the Charlotte area will be able to sustain its rapid job growth, whether that is for new highways or building projects, without a new bill in place,” she said.
Wilkins was joined by other officials on Thursday at the Interstate 85/Interstate 485 Improvement project site in Charlotte. The project aims to improve traffic flow and safety and is scheduled to be completed in 2028.
Lynn Hansen, CEO of Crowder Constructors, Inc., said the major thoroughfare was a road she commonly took, but traffic caused her to look for alternative routes. She noted North Carolina is among the fastest growing states in the country.
“That growth is placing unprecedented pressure on all of our infrastructure, but especially on our highways and local roads,” Hansen said. “This population growth is good for our economy, but it also creates transportation demands that state and local funding can not meet.”
That growth has not only helped increase construction employment in Charlotte, but across the state over the past year.
North Carolina added 13,900 construction jobs with 2,600 of those in Raleigh-Cary, 600 in Wilmington and 500 jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, according to the AGC.
AGC launches campaign
The AGC is launching its America’s Moving Forward campaign to push Congress to approve new federal funding.
According to a voter survey by Morning Consult for America’s Moving Forward, 79% of North Carolina’s registered voters support passing a new federal transit funding bill before the current law expires on Sept. 30.
Census data continues to show the Charlotte region among the fastest growing areas in the country. Between July 2024 and July 2026, Charlotte added nearly 21,000 people.
Wilkins said one of the reasons for the region’s continued growth is due to investments from federal and state officials in the transportation system.
“Improving our highway and transportation system doesn’t just mean easier commutes, it makes it easier for companies to thrive, and to expand by lowering their shipping costs, and accelerating everything; from deliveries to service calls, and connecting them with clients and investors,” Wilkins said.
She added without legislation the state could face a tougher road moving forward with big, multi-year transportation projects that spur economic growth.
The association is investing $2 million in its campaign to raise awareness.
“While this is a big investment for an association like ours, it is a small price to pay to ensure continued economic growth in places like Charlotte,” Wilkins said. “If we do our job right, it will be very hard for Congress to kick the can on passing a new highway, bridge and transit bill before the current one expires.”
