Arizona Job Growth Brisk

Arizona created more jobs than any state but Nevada in 2004.

Nevada's nonfarm employment grew by 5.9 percent last year, while jobs in Arizona increased 3.4 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

"Western states accounted for six of the top 10 states with the fastest job growth, as Montana, Utah, Idaho and Wyoming all posted gains of more than 2 percent," wrote Lee McPheters in the May issue of the Western Blue Chip Economic Forecast.

More than 2.73 million nonfarm jobs were created in Arizona in 2004.

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