And, WE are in GOOD shape!

Every month, the employment picture looks bleaker when compared to the same month last year.

First, the entire state of New Mexico, comparing October '07 to October "08:

• Job growth was .o1% -- the lowest in 17 years
• Manufacturing (including the high-paying tech industry) lost 2,500 jobs
• Construction lost 1,500 jobs
• Leisure and hospitality shed 1,400 jobs
• Financial services also lost -- a total of 700 jobs
  

Keeping us (barely) in the '+' column are:

• Eduction and health services added 4,400 jobs
• Mining (mainly exploration) added 1,000 jobs
• Government added 1,900 jobs
  
• Information (including our growing film industry) added just 100 jobs

When the focus is narrowed to just the Albuquerque area, the picture does not improve. Overall unemployment on a year-to-year basis increased from 3.3% to 4.6%. And, payroll employment fell a total of 1,500 jobs on a year-to-year basis.

Imagine what it must be like in one of the states with real problems!