Minnesota gained 3,400 jobs in June and unemployment was trimmed by a tenth of a percent from May to 5.3 percent, according to numbers released by the Minnesota Department of Employment Economic Development (DEED).
The state has added 7,600 jobs in the past year, growing at a rate of 0.3 percent. The national growth rate was at -0.1 percent during that same period.
“While some areas of the state and some industries are lagging, Minnesota’s overall economy continues to hold its own compared with the national picture,” said DEED Commissioner Dan McElroy in a press release. “The state has added jobs in three of the last four months, with manufacturing among the bright spots in June, thanks to steady job growth in computers and electronics manufacturing.”
Manufacturing added 1,300 in June, while government, and education and health services each added 1,400.
The recent up tick in manufacturing jobs demonstrates the strong growth in exports from the state according to federal statistics. The roughly ten percent gain this year through May could, however, be the effect of a weak dollar and more international buying.
The trade, transportation and utilities sector was hit the hardest, losing 1,500 jobs in June.
