Tucson’s job growth lags behind state and national averages [Video]

While Arizona as a whole has experienced strong job growth in recent years, Tucson’s job market has been growing at a slower pace, falling behind both state and national averages.

In the past year, Tucson’s job growth was just 1.1%, significantly lower than the state’s average. This slower growth is making it more difficult for residents to secure stable employment.

George Hammond, director of the Economic and Business Research Center at the University of Arizona, says part of the slowdown is due to Tucson’s heavy reliance on government jobs. While government employment offers stability, Hammond says, it doesn’t grow as quickly as other sectors, leaving the city’s economy less dynamic.

“Tucson’s economy is more reliant on government jobs, which tend to be less volatile but also grow more slowly,” Hammond said.

One area seeing growth is housing construction. The number of building permits has increased, leading to more jobs in …