Regional Analysis

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

Monthly analysis is based on unadjusted employment data.

Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

Employment in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington MSA grew by 0.5 percent (7,800) over the month, but is still less than half the April average growth of 1.2 percent. The recent gains are predominantly from the private sector, which increased by 0.5 percent (more than 7,500). Mining, logging and construction employment increased as is typical for April, at a rate of 8.6 percent (nearly 4,000). Educational and health services also increased at a normal rate, 1.1 percent (2,800), while leisure and hospitality increased above the average April rate of 3 percent (up 3.6 percent, 5,400). Manufacturing, however, declined by 0.6 percent (1,100) in a month in which it typically increases employment, as did trade, transportation and utilities (down 0.5 percent, 1,700). While employment change in the Twin Cities is returning to normal patterns, several industries still saw moderate losses, despite April usually being a growth month. Government employment increased by 0.1 percent (260), with most of the gain coming from the federal government (which increased by 1.3 percent or nearly 300). This is partly caused by newly hired temporary census workers.

Duluth-Superior MSA

Duluth-Superior MSA employment grew in line with past April trends, increasing at a rate of 1 percent over the month (nearly 1,300), but over-the-year employment is still down by well over 3,000 (2.4 percent). The monthly gain is evenly split between the public and private sectors. The most substantial gains occurred in leisure and hospitality, which grew by 550 (4.4 percent). Also showing a significant increase was trade, transportation and utilities, up 1.2 percent (nearly 300). This came mostly from retail trade, which increased by 1.7 percent (250). Educational and health services increased following typical April trends, while mining, logging and construction increased, but more slowly than in past years. Government employment increased by 0.9 percent (240), with all levels contributing fairly balanced shares of growth.

Rochester MSA

Employment in the Rochester MSA increased by 0.7 percent (750), slightly less than the April average of 1 percent. Private-sector employment increased by 0.8 percent (more than 750), while government employment declined by 0.1 percent (less than 10). Many private-sector industries saw gains, but the most substantial numerical growth was in mining, logging and construction, which increased by 6.8 percent (nearly 220), and in leisure and hospitality, which increased in line with past April trends at a rate of 2.9 percent (250). Less substantial but still notable gains occurred in trade, transportation and utilities, which increased by 0.9 percent (nearly 150 with retail trade increasing by 140), and in educational and health services, which increased 0.4 percent (160). State government employment fell by 2.7 percent (40), but was balanced out by moderate increases in local and federal government employment.

St. Cloud MSA

Employment in the St. Cloud MSA increased by 0.9 percent (more than 900) over the month of April. While the gain was in line with the average April increase of nearly 1.1 percent, it was not enough to overcome losses in recent months, and over-the-year employment declined 1.3 percent (approximately 1,300). Private-sector employment increased by 1 percent (more than 800), driven primarily by gains in mining, logging and construction, which grew by 300 or a relatively typical April percentage of 8 percent, and in leisure and hospitality, which grew 3.3 percent (nearly 300). While most of the other industries lost employment, their declines were low and typical for April. Government employment grew by 0.6 percent (nearly 100). While there were slight gains at all levels of government, state government accounted for the bulk of the increase, going up by 1.4 percent (nearly 80).

Fargo-Moorhead MSA

Employment in the Fargo-Moorhead MSA increased by 0.2 percent over the month of April. Private sector employment grew by 0.4 percent (400), though it was still down 1.5 percent (more than 1,500) over the year. The biggest gains were in professional and business services (up 160, 1.2 percent), and in mining, logging and construction, which increased by 2.3 percent (more than 130). Neither industry has made up for losses incurred over the year, however, with mining, logging and construction still down 13.7 percent, nearly 1,000, and professional and business services down 2.2 percent, or 300 positions. Most other private sector industries experienced growth or decline of less than 1 percent. Government employment declined by 0.7 percent (130) overall, with significant losses of 1 percent (80) in state government and 1.5 percent (nearly 130) in local government employment being partially balanced out by hiring in federal government employment (up 3.5 percent, nearly 80).

Grand Forks MSA

Over the month of April, employment in the Grand Forks MSA declined by 0.2 percent (more than 100). Private sector employment declined by 0.1 percent (less than 30). The most significant numeric changes in industry employment were in mining, logging and construction, which increased by 5.1 percent (about 100), and leisure and hospitality, which declined by 3.2 percent (190). Employment in both sectors is down over the year – mining, logging and construction by 1.4 percent (30), and leisure and hospitality by 4 percent (about 240). Government employment overall declined by 0.6 percent (nearly 80), with growth in state government employment (up 0.6 percent, 50) and declines in federal government (down 1.4 percent, 20) and local government (down 1.9 percent, more than 100).