Rochester Has Surpassed Twin Cities as State’s Job Growth Engine

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - The latest unemployment report from the state shows Rochester surpassed the Twin Cities metro area for year-over-year job growth in July.

Data released by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development shows the Rochester metropolitan area, which includes portions of some surrounding counties, has added nearly 5700 jobs since last July for a job growth rate of 4.7%. By comparison, the year over year job growth rate for the Twin Cities was only a tenth of a percentage point for the net gain of just over 2100 jobs.

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Statewide, Minnesota's has seen a net gain of about 29,000 jobs, which translates into a job growth rate of 1%. The national job growth rate was 1.6%.

Minnesota's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate moved higher in July. State officials say it climbed from 2.9% in June to 3.2% last month. A year ago, the seasonally adjusted jobless rate was 3%.

The jobs data indicates Minnesota saw a net loss of 1100 jobs in July, while the labor force decreased by about 2200 people. The state's labor participation rate was steady at 67.8%.

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