TUCSON, ARIZONA (Aug. 4, 2026) — Tucson Unemployment Rate recorded one of the largest year-over-year increases in unemployment among the nation’s major metropolitan areas in June 2026, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The Tucson metropolitan area’s unemployment rate rose to 5.7 percent in June, up from 4.6 percent in June 2025. The 1.1 percentage point increase was the third largest among the 56 metropolitan areas with populations of at least 1 million, trailing only Hartford, Connecticut, and Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Phoenix also experienced a notable increase. The Phoenix Mesa Chandler metropolitan area posted a June unemployment rate of 4.9 percent, compared with 4.0 percent one year earlier, an increase of 0.9 percentage points.

Nationally, unemployment rates declined in 27 of the 56 large metropolitan areas, increased in 26 and remained unchanged in three during the year ended June 2026.

Columbus, Ohio, recorded the largest improvement, with its unemployment rate falling 1.2 percentage points to 3.3 percent. Hartford, West Hartford, and East Hartford had the largest increase, rising 1.3 percentage points to 4.9 percent. Tulsa followed with a 1.2-point increase to 4.5 percent.

Among the large metropolitan areas, Raleigh-Cary, North Carolina, and Urban Honolulu recorded the lowest unemployment rates in June at 3.1 percent each. Fresno, California, posted the highest rate at 7.7 percent, followed by Tucson at 5.7 percent.

The Tucson rate was also higher than several other western metropolitan areas, including Las Vegas at 5.2 percent, Los Angeles at 5.0 percent, Phoenix at 4.9 percent, Sacramento at 4.8 percent, San Diego at 4.4 percent, and Denver at 3.9 percent.

The figures are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Local Area Unemployment Statistics program. Metropolitan unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted, and the June 2026 figures are preliminary.

To view full report with charts click here.

TEMPE, Ariz. (August 4, 2026) – Terracon is proud to announce the addition of Armando de la Rocha, P.E., as a Senior Geotechnical Engineer, bringing more than 30 years of experience in geotechnical, pavement, and materials engineering to the firm.

As a Senior Geotechnical Engineer, de la Rocha will play a key role in delivering technical expertise for transportation and aviation projects across the Desert Southwest Region. He will also help strengthen Terracon’s engineering practice through mentorship, technical leadership, and collaboration with the geotechnical and pavement teams throughout the region.

“We are excited to welcome Armando to our team,” said Eddy Ramirez, P.E., Geotechnical Department Manager. “His technical expertise, leadership, and extensive geotechnical engineering experience in aviation and pavement engineering makes him an outstanding addition to our team. His knowledge will enhance our ability to serve our clients and support the continued growth of our aviation and transportation sector.”

Born in Managua, Nicaragua, and raised in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, de la Rocha has built a distinguished career grounded in technical excellence and a commitment to advancing the engineering profession.

He earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras, a Master of Science in Geotechnical Engineering from the University of New Mexico, and a Post-Graduate Degree in Geotechnical Engineering from the Escuela Técnica Superior de Caminos, Canales y Puertos in Madrid, Spain.

Throughout his career, de la Rocha has developed extensive expertise in geotechnical engineering, pavement engineering, materials evaluation, and aviation infrastructure. His broad experience spans complex transportation and infrastructure projects, making him a valuable resource for clients and colleagues alike.

De la Rocha has also been actively involved in several professional organizations, including the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), where he is a Life Member, the Arizona Airports Association (AzAA), and the Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists (AAPT).

Outside of work, de la Rocha enjoys reading, traveling, hiking, and exploring minor coding projects.

With this addition, Terracon continues to expand its technical capabilities and reinforce its commitment to delivering innovative solutions and exceptional service to clients throughout the region.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Aug. 4, 2026) — Small manufacturers from across Arizona convened Wednesday to forge new business relationships, showcasing their products and services at the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Supplier Matchmaking Expo, co-hosted with Intel.

The event focused on growing aerospace and semiconductor supply chains. It was designed to help large companies and industrial producers connect with small domestic suppliers, reshore production, create local jobs, and strengthen American industrial competitiveness in sectors critical to U.S. economic and national security.

“The Arizona Matchmaking Expo highlights SBA’s commitment to strengthening our critical semiconductor and aerospace sectors as part of President Trump’s onshoring and reindustrialization efforts. The caliber of engagement here today demonstrates the tremendous potential of small businesses to contribute to our national supply chain. Under Administrator Kelly Loeffler’s leadership, SBA is restoring our industrial dominance and will continue to do so at future expos.”

The expo drew nearly 700 registered corporate and federal buyers and suppliers, offering face-to-face opportunities to showcase capabilities ranging from precision machining and cleanroom services to advanced materials and engineering support.

Rather than the informal networking typical of trade shows, the Expo was built around structured matchmaking. Suppliers applied in advance, submitted capability profiles, and requested meetings with specific buyers. Buyers reviewed those profiles and scheduled sessions with firms that fit their supply chain needs, transforming the Expo floor into a series of focused, one-on-one business discussions.

For many small businesses, this format eliminated months of cold outreach, placing them directly across the table from the decision-makers who determine which small businesses receive contracts in major aerospace and semiconductor supply chains.

Beyond the matchmaking sessions, federal, state, and local resource partners staffed exhibit booths to help firms understand the technical and financial support available to them, from growth capital and federal contracting opportunities to workforce and export assistance.

Arizona has emerged as one of the nation’s focal points for semiconductor and aerospace activity, with major investments in chip manufacturing, defense, and space-related operations.

Today, Arizona leads the nation in semiconductor investment, supplier expansions, and job creation. Since 2020, the state has secured more than 70 semiconductor expansions, representing over $314 billion in capital investment — firmly establishing Arizona as America’s semiconductor headquarters.

In March, SBA launched its inaugural Supplier Matchmaking Expo in Charlotte, North Carolina, where over 675 small businesses connected directly with 35 large industrial buyers. Following the event’s success, SBA hosted its second Supplier Matchmaking Expo in Detroit, Michigan, which connected over 600 small business participants with three dozen industrial buyers. About half of the participants said they expect to generate more than $250,000 in business opportunities as a result of their participation.