Arizona unemployment rate hits 5.6 percent

www.EmploymentCrossing.com The unemployment rate for Arizona shot up half a percentage point last month reported the Arizona Department of Commerce. Arizona’s retail jobs fell by 2400, and construction jobs fell 2100. Business, professional, leisure and hospitality jobs also fell off. Some job areas had a good month from July to August which 34,000 were hired but these were mostly back to school hires. This, however, is still 50,000 jobs less than this time last year. Shrinkage in construction, financial services, and other areas over the past year have contributed to the unemployment rate. Senior director of research administration stated, “Have we reached the bottom? I would hope that we are going to reach it soon. But based on those numbers it looks like we’re still seeing a bit of a decline continuing although it seems to be slowing.”