MARQUETTE - Construction employers in the Upper Peninsula expect increased revenue and to hire more workers this year than in the past, according to a new Northern Michigan University survey.

According to the survey, 74 percent of contractors who responded expect increased revenue this year (up from 70 percent a year ago) and about 20 percent expect decreased revenues (down from 30 percent in 2002). Survey information was compiled beginning in April and released in August.

The survey said about 67 percent of contractors expect to increase hiring this year (up from 53 percent in 2002) while 33 percent expect to hire fewer workers (down from 46 percent in 2002).

The survey's author, Dr. James Scheiner of NMU, said the U.P.'s economy has been set back by slow work at the iron mines and paper mills, but educational, retail and residential work has helped offset those losses.