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Construction Boosts Arizona Employment, Unemployment Rate Drops To 4.7 Percent

A construction boom is reflected in Arizona’s newest employment numbers.

The state’s monthly unemployment rate dropped from 4.9 percent in April, to 4.7 percent in May, led by gains in the construction industry. More than 2,500 jobs were added in that sector last month.

According to Doug Walls with Arizona’s Office of Economic Opportunity, the increase isn’t just in the most populated areas of the state.

“In the past years, this is not something that was occurring," Walls said. "Most of the growth in construction was primarily within Phoenix. And now we’re seeing construction growth throughout all of the metropolitan areas.”

The biggest losses came in the government sector, where more than 7,000 jobs were lost last month.

Overall, Arizona has added nearly 75,000 new jobs over the past year, but the state's unemployment rate remains nearly a percent above the national average in May of 3.8 percent.

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Phil Latzman is an award-winning digital journalist and broadcast professional with over 25 years of experience covering news and sports on a multitude of platforms.