Arizona's Self-Employed Entrepreneurs

Arizona’s economy is dominated by self-employed entrepreneurs with no employees, according to research released today by the Arizona Department of Commerce. Growth of major firms (employing more than 500) has slowed, although they continue to employ more than half of the state’s workers.

Other key findings from the study “The Number of Businesses in Arizona” include:
· An estimated 414,109 businesses were operating in Arizona during 2003. More than three-fourths of these businesses consisted of self-employed individuals who had no employees.
· In 2003, Arizona had 97,758 firms that had employees at some time during the year. The figure likely has grown to a little more than 100,000 in 2006.

“This report provides a snapshot of Arizona’s business climate,” said Gilbert Jimenez, Director of the Arizona Department of Commerce. “It establishes a necessary starting point to further evaluate business growth and its impact on the overall state economy.”

More here.