A couple of forward-looking indicators for the construction industry are showing rough times
ahead, which means that Las Vegas and Henderson won't see any of the 60,000 lost construction jobs coming back soon.

The backlog of projects on the books for contractors nationwide declined 5.4 percent in the first quarter
from 7.8 months to 7.4 months, the Construction Backlog indicator from the Associated Builders and
Contractors shows.

The amount of construction work under contract to be completed in the future is slightly higher compared
with first quarter 2011.

The lull in non-residential won't end in the near term said a spokesman. The nation's non-residential construction activity will remain soft during the summer, with flat to declining construction spending activity.

"I think the backlog has been decreasing for 8 months and this is a sign of economic weakness from last year. " It caused a postponement of a number of projects in planning. As a result contractors are working down their backlog faster than they are receiving new contractual volume."

"The nation is now 3 years into economic recovery and most people in the industry were hoping that non-residential construction would stabilize by now. "

"Recovery has been sporadic. I think we would agree that economic circumstances in Nevada is better and the state is adding jobs."

A builder's spokesman in Nevada said that there is some movement in Las Vegas and Henderson such as the
Marriott's Grand Chateau's time share tower and expansion at St. Rose Dominican Hospital's Sierra campus.

Another leading construction indicator, the Architecture Billing Index, has fallen into negative territory after five months of positive readings.

Las Vegas is among the markets decimated by pricing declines.

"If there is a demand, it's just working off existing inventory. I think most of your work for the next few
years is going to be upgrades."