Regional Analysis

by Amanda Rohrer - amanda.rohrer@state.mn.us
April 2010

Monthly analysis is based on unadjusted employment data.

Minneapolis-St.Paul-Bloomington Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

Employment in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington MSA grew 0.4 percent (6,840 jobs) over the month of March but was still down 2.4 percent (40,060 jobs) over the year. Government employment declined 0.1 percent (330) over the month. The losses were largely driven by local government employment which fell 0.2 percent (370) over the month. Atypically, federal government employment in the MSA was not inflated by Census hires and declined 0.3 percent (60). Most of the private sector growth stemmed from manufacturing employment (up 1 percent, 1,770) and leisure and hospitality (up 1.6 percent, 2,270) over the month. Most other industries saw more moderate monthly growth.

Duluth-Superior MSA

Employment in the Duluth-Superior MSA grew 0.3 percent (390) in March but fell 2.2 percent (2,830) over the year. Both the monthly and annual changes were proportionately split between government and private employment with government employment declining 0.6 percent (170) over the month. Federal government employment gains (likely from Census workers) of 13.9 percent (245) were somewhat balanced out by a loss in local government employment of 0.6 percent (100). The most substantial private-sector employment changes were in mining, logging, and construction (up 4.8 percent, 250), trade, transportation, and utilities (down 0.9 percent, 200), and leisure and hospitality (up 1.5 percent, 190). Many other industries experienced significant fluctuations, as well.

Rochester MSA

Employment in the Rochester MSA grew 0.2 percent (240) over the month but was still down 0.9 percent (940) over the year. Government employment was up 0.4 percent (50), largely driven by federal government Census employment (up 2.8 percent, 30). Private-sector gains were strongest in manufacturing (up 0.8 percent, 80), mining, logging, and construction (up 1.7 percent, 40), and leisure and hospitality (up 1.2 percent, 100). With the exception of educational and health services (down 0.1 percent, 40), employment in all other industries was flat for the month.

St. Cloud MSA

Employment in the St. Cloud MSA grew 0.4 percent (410 jobs) over the month of March, but over the year there was no change. Government employment grew by less than 0.1 percent (10) over the month, with state government losses of 0.9 percent (50) balanced by gains in federal government (up 2.1 percent, 50) and local government (up 0.2 percent, 15). Private-sector gains were strongest in manufacturing (up 0.8 percent, 120) and leisure and hospitality (up 1.5 percent, 120), but most industries either saw a slight gain or were flat for the month.

Fargo-Moorhead MSA

Employment in the Fargo-Moorhead MSA grew 0.5 percent (630 jobs) over the month and fell 0.1 percent (120) over the year. Government employment was flat in March, with an overall growth of 0.1 percent (10) — the result of a 0.9 percent loss in local government employment (80) and moderate gains in federal and state government. Major growth in the private sector occurred in leisure and hospitality (up 1.9 percent, 240) and in mining, logging, and construction (up 3.2 percent, 160) over the month. Most other industries either saw little employment change or were up moderately for the month.

Grand Forks MSA

Employment in the Grand Forks MSA grew 0.5 percent (250) over the month of March and 0.5 percent (270) over the year. Government employment declined 0.4 percent (60) over the month, driven largely by losses in state government employment (down 1.3 percent, 100) and somewhat counterbalanced by federal government employment (up 1.9 percent, 30). The largest growth in a private-sector industry occurred in leisure and hospitality (up 3 percent, 170), while most other industries saw modest gains of 60 or fewer jobs.

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