Duluth region has best September for job growth in 20 years

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The Duluth region had its best September for job growth since 1992 with a spike of 2,200 jobs compared to August, according to statistics released Thursday by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

The gains reversed a general slump in job growth of more than a year. September was the first month since June 2011 when the year-to-year job numbers were in positive territory for the Duluth Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of St. Louis, Carlton and Douglas counties.

“Normally, Septembers offer good job news to the region because of the return of school and universities, but this year the boost was greater than usual,” Drew Digby, regional labor analyst for the employment department, said in a news release. “Private-sector employers in general merchandise stores, transportation and warehousing, education and health also gained jobs in September.”

The numbers helped both Minnesota and Wisconsin post improved unemployment rates for the month.

Minnesota’s unemployment rate fell a tick to 5.8 percent, a full two percentage points better than the national average. Wisconsin’s unemployment rate dropped to 7.3 percent, down from 7.5 percent in August.

The national rate for the month was 7.8 percent.

Statewide, Minnesota gained 9,500 private-sector jobs but lost 3,600 government jobs for a net gain of 5,900 jobs. Education and health services were the big gainers and the leisure and hospitality sector also was strong. Government entities, manufacturers and information sectors reported job losses.

Wisconsin added 1,500 private-sector jobs for the month but lost 100 government jobs for a net gain of 1,400 jobs. Gains were made in professional and business services and education and health, but jobs were lost in transportation and warehousing and leisure and hospitality, according to the Department of Workforce Development.

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