New numbers are out, and Arizona's unemployment rate improved last month as more people in the state are beginning to go out to eat. Full recovery is a long way off, but this a good step.
Arizona's jobs picture is improving, slowly. The adjusted jobless rate dropped two-tenths of a point in March to 6.7%, as the state continues to recover from the COVID-19 economic slump.
The good news: People are going out more — and that's showing up in new employment. Bars and restaurants hired 3,700 workers last month, according to the state Office of Economic Opportunity. And overall, Arizona businesses added 15,100 jobs between February and March.
But the state's hotel and resort industry, a major employer, still lags, with 36% fewer employees working now than a year ago.
