Idaho leads nation in job growth. Construction remains hottest sector, with thousands of jobs created in low-paying service industry

Idaho created new jobs at a faster rate than any other state in the nation from the second quarter of 2005 to the second quarter of this year, the Idaho Department of Commerce and Labor reported Friday.

The state created 31,100 new nonfarm jobs during the yearlong period surveyed, a rate of just over 5.1 percent that easily eclipsed the U.S. rate of 1.4 percent. Nevada finished second at 5.1 percent, followed by Arizona at 4.78 percent.

Construction remained the hottest sector of the Idaho economy, with an 18 percent job growth rate. Eight thousand new jobs sprang up to support the state’s housing boom.

"The evidence continues to mount on the strength of Idaho’s economy," Gov. Jim Risch said in a statement.

Joe Estrella
Idaho Statesman

Full Story: http://www.idahostatesman.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060729/NEWS02/607290301/1029