Regional Analysis

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

Monthly analysis is based on unadjusted employment data.

Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

Employment in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington MSA was flat over the month of November and increased by 1.3 percent (22,730 jobs) over the year. Public sector employment fared somewhat better with local government employment increasing by 3.6 percent (5,390) over the month, counterbalancing slight declines in state and federal government. The most substantial private sector losses were in leisure and hospitality (down 4 percent, 6,720) and in mining, logging, and construction (down 3.6 percent, 1,920), while there was a significant, although seasonally somewhat low, gain in trade, transportation, and utilities (up 1 percent, 3,160).

Duluth-Superior MSA

Employment in the Duluth-Superior MSA declined by 1.1 percent (1,470) over the month but grew by 0.9 percent (1,130) over the year. State government declined slightly more proportionately (150, or 1.8 percent over the month). While that’s unusual for November, it’s likely caused by a seasonal decline in university employment that wasn’t counterbalanced by growth in other state government institutions. The largest private sector losses were in leisure and hospitality (down 6.5 percent, 910), much more substantial than the November average loss of 3.3 percent. Over the year, however, there’s employment growth of 80 (0.6 percent). Other industries that saw significant changes were mining, logging, and construction, which declined by 8.2 percent (590), and trade, transportation, and utilities, which increased by 1.1 percent (270) over the month.

Rochester MSA

Employment in the Rochester MSA was flat over the month and increased by 1.6 percent (1,630) over the year. Local government employment saw the greatest growth, up 3.7 percent (330) over the month, and trade, transportation, and utilities increased moderately (up 1.4 percent, 220) as well. The largest declines were in leisure and hospitality (down 2.8 percent, 250) and in manufacturing (down 1.4 percent, 160), while most other industries saw little employment change for the month.

St. Cloud MSA

Employment in the St. Cloud MSA declined by 0.2 percent over the month (210) and was down by 0.1 percent (140) over the year. Employment in government increased by 2.6 percent (430), exactly in line with the average November increase of 430. The increase was dominated by seasonally normal growth in local government employment, up 4.2 percent (390). In the private sector, job loss was the dominant trend. The industries that were hardest hit were leisure and hospitality (down 3.7 percent, 320), mining, logging, and construction (down 5.4 percent, 250), and manufacturing (down 1.1 percent, 160). Only trade, transportation, and utilities saw an increase (up 1 percent, 200), and that was slightly lower than the average November growth of 1.3 percent.

Fargo-Moorhead MSA

Employment in the Fargo-Moorhead MSA increased by 0.1 percent (110) over the month of November but was flat over the year. On a monthly basis the largest changes were in mining, logging, and construction (down 3.9 percent, 270), in trade, transportation, and utilities (up 1.9 percent, 490), and in professional and business services (down 0.9 percent, 120). Moderate monthly gains in state government employment of 0.7 percent (50) were overwhelmed by more significant monthly losses of 1 percent (90) in
local government employment.

Grand Forks MSA

Employment in the Grand Forks MSA declined by 0.1 percent (60) over the month of November, and increased 0.8 percent (450) over the year. The most significant monthly changes were in mining, logging, and construction (down 5.5 percent, 150), in trade, transportation, and utilities (up 2.3 percent, 250), and in leisure and hospitality (down 1.1 percent, 70). No other industries had changes of greater than 50, either up or down, and most were much more stable than that. State government employment declined by 0.5 percent (40) over the month, while local government employment increased by 0.3 percent (20).

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