According to Pittsburgh Today, unemployment fell in March from 5.6% to 5.1% over the past 12 months. The bad news was that there were more than 10,000 fewer people in the labor force compared to March 2016. That’s an indication of the power of the demographic challenge facing Pittsburgh over the next five years.

On the national scene, yesterday’s report on new unemployment claims found 238,000 new claims were filed in the last week, the lowest in 17 years. The national unemployment rate is now 4.5 %

In project news, UPMC selected Turner Construction as CM for the $111 million Hamot patient tower in Erie. Construction is expected next year. CM selection is expected in a few months for the $100 million-plus UPMC South and for the $150 million-ish UPMC Mercy Ophthalmology center.

University of Pittsburgh has been bidding flurry of projects recently. Allegheny Construction Group was low on two projects last week. Allegheny was low on the Frick Fine Arts at $309,000 (although an alternate could flip the job to Facility Support Services) and on the 7500 Thomas Blvd. print shop at $548,500, edging out Rycon at $552,000.