Report: Arizona job growth among fastest in the country
Jun 9, 2016, 7:32 AM
In this Wednesday, May 18, 2016, photo, a woman passes a "We're Hiring!" sign while entering a clothing store in the Downtown Crossing of Boston. On Thursday, May 26, 2016, the Labor Department reports on the number of people who applied for unemployment benefits the week before. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
2016 is shaping up to be a good year when it comes to jobs in the Grand Canyon state.
Kiplinger’s magazine said Arizona is growing jobs at the second fastest rate in the country, with 2016 job growth at 3.2 percent. Only Idaho is growing jobs faster, at 3.5 percent.
Arizona is expected to create 84,380 jobs this year, up from 66,380 new jobs a year ago.
“We’re promoting the state, we’re starting to see people come back to the state, and we’ve got the right policies on place,” said Arizona Governor Doug Ducey. “This is a good place for businesses.”
The magazine said the state’s sunny climate and low taxes are a big part of Arizona’s job growth. Ducey said that low taxes are very important to businesses.
“That’s a lowering of cost that provides additional dollars so that [businesses] can hire new employees or give better benefits to their current workers,” Ducey said.
Kiplinger’s said the low cost of living in Arizona will draw tech entrepreneurs away from Silicon Valley, adding that housing and construction sectors in the state have finally turned a corner. Ducey said that Arizona is on the upswing after a recession that hit the state hard.
“We have a great place to do business and we have a great place to work,” Ducey said. “When companies are moving here, that provides more opportunities for [Arizona] citizens that are already employed, looking to make more money, or citizens that are looking for a job.”
