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Construction Industry Finds Renaissance In Downtown Detroit

While thousands of people are enjoying several big events in Detroit this weekend, the downtown area has been abuzz with a different type of energy

If you haven't been downtown in a while, you'll notice some big changes. Mostly scaffolding and cranes as dozens of construction projects are in full swing.

Chris Fisher, president of the Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan said that with the construction barrels and cranes, comes jobs.

"The construction workers, the scaffolding, the cranes, the noise -- that's music to our ears in the construction industry," Fisher said.

Fisher said the construction industry has seen improvements in the last year in all sectors.

"We're seeing more jobs, we're seeing better jobs and we're building again," Fisher said. "We suffered more than most industries did in Michigan and to see folks getting back to work, to see backlogs improving -- it's quite a comeback story and we're thrilled to be a part of that."

Fisher said that he hopes the rebound of construction in Michigan will help sway young people to join the building industry.

"These are great careers," Fisher said. " Skilled trades pay more than most other industries -- you're going to have a larger paycheck than in other professions and it's in high demand. You could right now do a skilled trade career in Michigan and you're not going to have a hard time finding a job."

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