WASHINGTON, DC-Construction employment on a state-by-state basis delivered its best net positive performance since January 2007, according to an analysis of Labor Department data made by the Associated General Contractors of America. The association reported that employment rose in 30 states and the District of Columbia between February 2011 and February 2012.

Eighteen states lost construction jobs and two held steady. In addition, 29 states and the District added construction jobs between January and February, while 21 states had decreases for the month.

The number of states with year-over-year construction-job gains is very encouraging, said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist, in a prepared statement. “But the industry is still struggling in too many states to declare that construction is in full recovery,” he added.

Indeed, construction employment almost seems to be on a separate track from general employment, which has broken the 200,000 benchmark in terms of new jobs added to the economy for the past three months.

The association gripes, with much justification, that Washington policies are not helping, such as the uncertainty around tax treatment and regulations surrounding private investment. On a more positive note, Congress did not let highway and transit funding lapse last week.

According to the AGC, North Dakota had the largest percentage gain in construction jobs between February 2011 and 2012 (18.8% or 4,200 jobs); followed by the District (13.2% or 1,500 jobs); and Tennessee (7.9% or 8,400 jobs). Pennsylvania added the most jobs (9,900, for a 4.5% increase), followed by Tennessee and Texas (8,100 jobs, at a 1.4% increase).

Of course, looking at the larger job-growth trends is equally as telling, Adam Weissburg, a partner with Cox Castle & Nicholson, tells GlobeSt.com. First, it means more people working and spending, which boosts retail properties. This also indicates a harbinger of industrial demand, he continues. “Both of those factors will also suggest an uptick in big-box retail and distribution development, as greater retail and industrial production will parallel more products being moved throughout the nation,” he says.