Most quarterly gain in Nevada employers in 7 years

RENO — The number of employers in Nevada has grown 4.1 percent over the past three months compared to the same period a year ago and has nearly returned to the peak of more than 60,000 employers in 2008.

It’s the state’s best quarterly growth since the end of 2007 and continues a three-year trend upward since the recession.

Bill Anderson, chief economist for the Nevada Department of Employment, says it’s another indication the state’s economy is on the mend. He said the unemployment rate has been cut in half since the recession.

There were 59,900 employers in Nevada at the end of July, up 2,400 from 2013. It’s the 12th consecutive quarterly increase compared to the previous year.

The peak of 60,500 in 2008 fell to 56,400 in 2011.