Regional Analysis

by Amanda Rohrer - amanda.rohrer@state.mn.us
March 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 was flat over the month of February (an increase of 570, resulting in an increase of less than 0.1 percent), but declined 3.1 percent (53,520) over the year. The most significant private-sector monthly changes were in mining, logging, and construction (down 6.9 percent, 3,000), trade, transportation, and utilities (down 1.1 percent, 3,350), educational and health services (up 0.5 percent, 1,320), and professional and business services (up 0.5 percent, 1,140). Other industries saw significant changes, but overall, private-sector employment change balanced out at slightly negative for the month (down 0.3 percent, 4,140). Government employment increased 2 percent (4,700) over the month, with most of the change coming from state government employment (up 7.8 percent, 3,290).

Duluth-Superior MSA

Employment in the Duluth-Superior MSA increased 1 percent (1,270) in February but fell 3 percent (3,830) over the year. Government employment increased 4.7 percent (1,220) over the month, driving most of the metro area’s monthly gains, and state government employment increased 13.2 percent (950) — both primarily because of seasonal gains in education. Local government employment increased 1.2 percent (200) over the month. In the private sector the most significant monthly employment changes were in educational and health services (up 1.5 percent, 430) and in trade, transportation, and utilities (down 1.2 percent, 290).

Rochester MSA

Employment in the Rochester MSA declined 0.4 percent (460) over the month and 1.4 percent (1,440) over the year. Government employment fared disproportionately worse than private, falling 1.4 percent (160) over the month, entirely from losses in local government employment (down 1.8 percent, 160). In contrast, private-sector employment fell 0.3 percent (300) for the month. Although most industries experienced little monthly employment change, the decline stemmed from losses in mining, logging, and construction (down 4 percent, 110) and in trade, transportation, and utilities (down 1.1 percent, 170).

St. Cloud MSA

Employment in the St. Cloud MSA saw no over-the-month change, while declining 0.7 percent (700) over the year. The private sector fared slightly worse, declining 0.4 percent (290) in February and 1.6 percent (1,260) over the year. The over-the-month declines were predominantly in mining, logging, and construction (down 4.7 percent, 170) and in trade, transportation, and utilities (down 1 percent, 200). Employment in other industries was mostly flat for the month. State and local government both saw employment increases. State government employment was up 2.1 percent (110) over the month and local government was up 2.4 percent (220).

Fargo-Moorhead MSA

Employment in the Fargo-Moorhead MSA fell 0.2 percent (220) over the month and 0.9 percent (1,120) over the year. Government employment fared better than private, growing 2.6 percent (460) over the month. Most of the gains were in state government (up 4.9 percent, 330). The private-sector industries that saw the most substantial gains were trade, transportation, and utilities (down 1.8 percent, 460) and mining, logging, and construction (down 3.8 percent, 200).

Grand Forks MSA

Employment in the Grand Forks MSA grew 0.1 percent (60) in February and fell 0.1 percent (30) over the year. Over the month, government employment grew 1.9 percent (270), primarily in state government, which gained 3.3 percent (240). The most significant changes in private-sector employment were a decline of 1.3 percent (140) in trade, transportation, and utilities and a decline of 1 percent (60) in leisure and hospitality. Employment in most industries was flat for the month.

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