Arizona's Economy Strongest in US

PHOENIX-Arizona’s economy has been growing the fastest of all 50 states, according to a new study by the US Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis.

From 1992 through the start of ’99, Arizona’s real gross state product–total economic output within its boundaries–grew 7.5% compared to 3.9% for the nation as a whole, Commerce says. The unusually fast growth was fueled by the state’s booming high-tech manufacturing industry and a sharp rise in business services.

Eight other Western states also posted strong growth during the 1990s, including a 7.2% gain recorded by Oregon. California, which suffered through a deep recession in the first half of the ‘90s, saw a below-average 3.2% growth rate between ’92 and ’99.