Arizona Lost 7,600 Jobs in March

Arizona’s unemployment rate rose to 7.8% in March, and shows no signs of retreating. The Grand Canyon State lost 7,600 jobs last month.

The state’s unemployment rate was up from 7.4% in February, and 4.7% in March 2008. Analysts expect the unemployment rate to reach 8% for April, and 10% before the end of the year.

March was the 19th straight month that the construction sector lost jobs. Government lost 1,700 jobs, including 600 in the schools.