Jobless claims increase again in Graham, Greenlee

PHOENIX — For the fourth month in a row, unemployment claims in Greenlee County increased.

That’s according to data released Thursday by the Arizona Commerce Authority.

The jobless rate in Greenlee County rose one-tenths of a point in July, to 3.4 percent. However, even with the increase, Greenlee not only remains the county with the lowest unemployment in Arizona for the 20th month in a row — seven-tenths of a point better than Maricopa County at 4.1 percent — it’s the only county in Arizona with an unemployment rate under 4 percent.

Unemployment in Graham County also increased in July, up three-tenths of a point to 4.8 percent, good for the fifth-lowest rate in the state.

Jobless claims in nearby Cochise County increased four-tenths of a point in July, to 5.5 percent.

Statewide, the seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate increased one-tenth of a point in July, to 3.6 percent, which is three-tenths of a point lower than the same time last year. The national rate remained flat at 3.8 percent.

Only two economic sectors reported job gains in July: Financial activities and construction, both up 1,700 jobs each.

Reporting job losses were: Professional and business services (down 5,000 jobs); leisure and hospitality (down 4,700 jobs); trade, transportation and utilities (down 2,000 jobs); private education and health services (down 1,000 jobs); government (down 200 jobs); manufacturing (down 200 jobs); and natural and resources and mining (down 100 jobs).

The information job sector reported no net gain or loss in jobs in July.

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