(KNSI) – Minnesota gained 4,400 jobs in August, but the unemployment rate continues to rise.
Now at 3.1%, the bump up reflects another month with people entering the workforce. Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Matt Varilek says, “More people are joining the labor force, and our continued labor force growth is great news for Minnesota employers, many of whom continue to look for the workers they need in our tight labor market.”
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics says that actively looking for work means having a job interview, submitting a resume, contacting a recruiter, or taking other steps to become employed. The labor force adds those currently employed to the number looking to come up with the overall size.
Job growth is still mostly bypassing the St. Cloud area. DEED says the region has added 1,049 jobs over the past year, resulting in a change of 1%. Western Minnesota is also struggling. Grand Forks employment has risen by 1.5% over the past year and Fargo-Moorhead by only 0.2%.
Rochester and Duluth are near 3%, and Mankato is at 5.8%, by comparison.
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