Cochise County Faces Rising Economic Anxiety And Job Losses

Every time I fill up my gas tank or stop by the grocery store, I’m filled with dread. How much is it going to cost me this time, I wonder. I know I’m not alone. All this uncertainty is rippling across the country, and it’s hitting hard in my neighborhood.

When you look at what’s happening across Arizona right now, it’s no surprise that folks are feeling uneasy. Between the ongoing war in Iran, shifting tariff policies, and the stubborn grip of inflation, the economic mood has been…well, tense is something of an understatement.

That tension is showing up in the job numbers, especially in places like Cochise County, where the losses are starting to hit home.

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Cochise County Losing Jobs: How Bad Is It?

“It's a recession when your neighbor loses his job; it's a depression when you lose yours.”-Harry S Truman

This is no longer just a national problem. The economic woes are hitting close to home. Cochise County lost  200 jobs last year, a 0.6% decline. Every one of those losses came from the federal government sector, as Fort Huachuca, the county’s largest employer, scaled back jobs.

Federal employment in the county dropped 4.5%, while state and local government jobs stayed flat. Private sector jobs have held steady.

READ: Challenges Facing Emergency Veterinary Services In Cochise County

What’s Happening Inside the Local Job Market?

Even with the overall decline, the private sector showed some resilience, according to the University of Arizona’s Eller College.

Educational and health services added 100 jobs, helping offset job losses in manufacturing, which fell by 11.1%. Industries like transportation, finance, hospitality, and business services didn’t change at all. Stability is good, but stagnation during a shaky economy adds stress to an already tense situation.