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| Wilson Highlights New Mexico Job Growth |
September 17, 2004 |
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The economy has created jobs for 12 straight months.
In New Mexico...
2,300 New Jobs in August
10,700 New Jobs in 2004
Across the Country...
1.7 Million New Jobs in the Past Year
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Albuquerque, NM - Congresswoman Heather Wilson today highlighted continued job growth in New Mexico. 
The state added 2,300 jobs in August, according to data released today, bring the total for 2004 to 10,700 so far. There has been job growth of 39,900 in New Mexico since 2001. New Mexico’s unemployment rate of 5.4 percent continued to improve from 5.5 percent in July.
Since 2000, per capita personal income for New Mexicans as a percentage of the national average has climbed from 74 percent to 82 percent. Homeownership is 70.3 percent in New Mexico, higher than a national average of 68.3 percent, even though the national average remains at a record high.
"We need steadily expanding job opportunities in New Mexico so that everyone who wants to work can work, and people who have a job can find their next job," Wilson said. "To continue seeing people hired, we must keep taxes low and regulations fair for the small businesses that create nearly eight of every 10 new jobs."
Through August, the nation has seen 12 straight months of job creation, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data announced earlier this month. The economy created 144,000 jobs in August, and estimates for June and July were revised upwards, totaling another 59,000 jobs, bringing the total for the past year to 1.7 million new jobs.
Nationally, the unemployment rate continues to show steady improvement, easing from 5.6 percent in June to 5.5 percent in July, and now to 5.4 percent. That is down from a peak of 6.3 percent, and better than the average of the 1970s, the 1980s and the 1990s. The unemployment rate in Albuquerque in July was 4.4%.
"The American economy is strong and growing new jobs. We`ve had 12 consecutive months of job growth," Wilson said. "Exports of goods and services are strong. Inflation is low. Mortgage interest rates and the bank prime rate are at the lowest rates in decades. Homeownership is at all-time highs nationally, and even stronger in New Mexico. But most importantly, jobs are being created."
Yesterday, Wilson joined Senator Bingaman, Governor Richardson, Mayor Chavez and members of Albuquerque Economic Development to break ground at the new Tempurpedic factory near Double Eagle Airport on the west side of Albuquerque.
"We work together so that good companies offering good paying jobs want to come and grow in New Mexico."
--Representative
Heather Wilson
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