Regional Analysis

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

Monthly analysis is based on unadjusted employment data.

Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington MSA

Employment in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington MSA grew by 0.5 percent (8,900) over the month of October, not yet reversing losses of the year that resulted in a 3.6 percent (63,900) over-the-year loss.Over the month, employment declined in mining and logging and in construction (2.5 percent, 1,500) and in manufacturing (0.7 percent, more than 1,100). The private-sector industries that fared the best over the month were educational and health services, which grew by 1.9 percent (4,990) – primarily from growth in educational services – and professional and business services (up 0.8 percent, 1,800). Government employment increased 3.2 percent (7,600) over the month, but declined 1.2 percent (2,800) over the year. Local government education increased 12.3 percent (9,000)over the month, compared to all local government employment growth of only 5.2 percent (7,400). State government education employment increased 1.2 percent (more than 500), compared to an overall loss in state government employment of less than 0.1 percent (30).

Duluth-Superior MSA

Employment in the Duluth-Superior MSA increased 0.6 percent (720) over the month of October but declined 4.1 percent (5,530) over the year. Government employment grew 4.7 percent (1,260) over the month. Seasonal growth in education employment was split between state government employment (up 6.1 percent, 470) and local government employment (up 4.5 percent, 780). The most substantial over-the-month change in private-sector employment was in leisure and hospitality, which declined 4.3 percent (590). On an annual basis, most industries experienced losses of around 5 percent, with the most substantial occurring in trade, transportation, and utilities (down 5.1 percent, 1,300), in manufacturing (down 13.2 percent, 1,120) and in mining, logging, and construction (down 20.7 percent, 1,810).

Rochester MSA

Employment in the Rochester MSA grew by less than 0.1 percent (about 100) over the month of October and was still 1.3 percent (1,380) lower than the previous October. Employment in most private-sector industries saw over-the-month changes of less than 1 percent, but employment in mining, logging, and construction declined 1.8 percent (70), manufacturing declined 1.9 percent (210), leisure and hospitality declined 2.1 percent (190), and other services declined 1.3 percent (40). Government employment balanced out the losses with an overall monthly growth of 3.9 percent (430) largely caused by seasonal education growth in local government of 4.6 percent (380).

St. Cloud MSA

Employment in the St. Cloud MSA grew 1.7 percent (1,630) over the month of October, but was still down 3.4 percent (3,470) over the year. Overall, government employment increased 12.5 percent (1,680) over the month, despite an over-the-year loss of 2.7 percent (420). State government (up 16.7 percent, 700) and local government (up 13 percent, 950) grew in line with seasonal educational changes. In contrast, goods-producing industries of mining, logging, and construction and manufacturing both saw monthly losses of 2.6 percent (120) and 1.4 percent (220), respectively. With the exceptions of educational and health services (up 2.3 percent, 390) and leisure and hospitality (down 1.4 percent, 130), employment in the service-providing industries was flat over the month.

Fargo-Moorhead MSA

Employment in the Fargo-Moorhead MSA grew 0.4 percent (540) over the month of October, but was down 1.3 percent (1,550) over the year. Seasonal growth in government employment accounted for 460 positions (growth of 2.6 percent), with 230 in state government (3.1 percent) and 210 in local government (2.5 percent). Employment in mining, logging, and construction declined 2.6 percent (220) over the month, while education and health services increased 1.6 percent (290). Other industries saw little over-the-month employment change.

Grand Forks MSA

Employment in the Grand Forks MSA grew 1.5 percent (780) over the month of October, but declined 1 percent (560) over the year. The monthly growth was driven by gains in government employment, which overall was up 4.1 percent (580) over the month and 3 percent (420) over the year. The monthly gains were in state government employment (up 5.6 percent, 400) and in local government (up 3.5 percent, 180). The most significant private-sector change was in leisure and hospitality, where employment grew 2.4 percent (140) over the month. All other industries saw changes in employment of less than 100 positions.

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