The Department of Workforce Solutions reports that New Mexico's unemployment rate dropped last month and that job growth has improved.
State officials said Friday the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.7 percent in April. That's down from 6.9 percent in March and 7 percent in April 2012.
New Mexico has gained about 7,900 jobs during the past 12 months, for a 1 percent growth rate.
It's been five years since the state's employment growth was at or exceeded 1 percent, and the department said the state's economy "may be gathering momentum as we start a sustained recovery."
State officials said nine industries have gained jobs and three have lost jobs since April 2012. The construction industry has picked up 1,800 jobs, which is its best performance since 2006.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.