Regional Analysis

by Amanda Rohrer - amanda.rohrer@state.mn.us
March 2009

Monthly analysis is based on unadjusted employment data.

Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

February employment in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington MSA declined by 0.6 percent (nearly 10,300). Private Sector employment fell by 1.0 percent (14,650) over the month. The most significant declines were in Mining, Logging, and Construction which fell 7.9 percent (nearly 4,000), in Manufacturing which fell 1.9 percent (3,540), and in Trade, Transportation, and Utilities which fell 1.9 percent (6,100). All of those industries habitually see a loss in February employment, but this year’s was deeper than most. Educational and Health Services increased by 1.1 percent (2,800), about a normal rate. Most other industries were fairly flat in their employment change over the month. Government employment grew by 1.8 percent overall (nearly 4,400). Federal Government employment declined slightly (0.9 percent, 200), and State Government employment increased slightly (0.2 percent, more than 100). Local Government employment carried the majority of the growth with an increase of 3.0 percent (4,450).

Duluth-Superior MSA

Duluth-Superior MSA employment grew by 0.5 percent (about 700), below the February average of 0.8 percent growth. Private Sector employment fell nearly 0.5 percent (500 positions). The industries that were hardest hit were Mining, Logging, and Construction which fell by 3.1 percent (200), Manufacturing which fell by 1.4 percent (100), and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities which fell by 1.8 percent (nearly 450). Employment in Educational and Health Services grew at a normal February rate of 1.0 percent (280) and at a somewhat slower than normal rate in Other Services – 0.9 percent (about 50). Government employment grew by 4.5 percent (1,200) over the month. State Government employment grew by 12.9 percent (nearly 920), and Local Government employment grew by 1.5 percent (about 260). Neither of those rates is outside the range of normalcy for Government employment growth in February.

Rochester MSA

Employment in the Rochester MSA declined by 0.9 percent (nearly 1000) over the month of February. The majority of this loss was carried by the Private Sector in which employment declined by 0.9 percent (840 positions). Mining, Logging, and Construction’s employment declined by 3.6 percent (120 positions) over the month, Manufacturing fell by 1.7 percent (nearly 200), and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities declined by 2.0 percent (300 positions). Other than Manufacturing, which tends to see a more moderate February decline, none of those rates is much more substantial than normal. Government employment fell by 1.4 percent (about 160), from a 1.9 percent (nearly 170) decline in Local Government employment, which almost always grows in February.

St. Cloud MSA

Over the month of February employment in the St. Cloud MSA declined by 0.1 percent in February of 2009. Private Sector employment declined more substantially, falling by 0.6 percent over the month (nearly 500). The most substantial Private Sector declines were in Mining, Logging, and Construction (down 3.0 percent, more than 100), Manufacturing (down 1.3 percent, 200), and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (down 1.7 percent, 350). All of those industries typically see a February employment decline, although usually less significantly. By contrast, Educational and Health Services actually experienced slight growth over the month, increasing by 1.4 percent (240 positions), although still well below the average February growth in that industry of 2.8 percent (about 400). Government grew at a rate of 2.3 percent over the month (nearly 370), primarily driven by greater than normal growth at the Local Government level (up 4.8 percent, about 400).

Fargo-Moorhead MSA

Employment in the Fargo-Moorhead MSA was flat for the month of February 2009, increasing over the month by about 100, or 0.1 percent. Private Sector employment was down by 0.2 percent (nearly 200), with most of the loss coming from Mining, Logging, and Construction (down 3.6 percent, more than 200) and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (down 0.7 percent, nearly 200). Of Private Sector industries, Educational and Health Services fared well, increasing by 1.4 percent (nearly 250). Government employment also grew with State Government increasing by 3.2 percent (more than 200) and Local Government increasing by 1.3 percent (over 100).

Grand Forks MSA

Employment in the Grand Forks MSA was stable over the month of February 2009. Private Sector employment decreased by 0.5 percent (over 200). Although most industries experienced slight employment declines, the most significant came in Mining, Logging, and Construction (down 4.1 percent, less than 100) and in Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (down 0.9 percent, about 100). Government employment grew by 1.5 percent overall (about 200) with State Government employment increasing by 2.2 percent (about 150) and Local Government employment increasing by 1.2 percent (more than 50).