local angle
The Tucson metro area's unemployment rate dropped to 3.8 percent in March, down from 4.6 percent a year ago. Still, about 16,400 people are unemployed, according to a report from the Arizona Department of Economic Security.
The local jobless rate remains lower than the state rate of 4.2 percent and the national rate of 5.7 percent, the DES reported.
The 6,500 jobs added to the metro area since the start of the year include 3,300 in government, 1,200 in hospitality and 700 in business services. Statewide, 8,500 jobs were gained in March, largely in the hospitality and construction industries. Both sectors reached record employment levels, according to the report.
- Becky Pallack