Minnesota unemployment edges up to 7.6 percent

Minnesota employers added 2,200 jobs in October, according to figures released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

The state's unemployment rate climbed 0.2 percent from September to a seasonally adjusted 7.6 percent. The U.S. unemployment rate in October was 10.2 percent.

"A gain in jobs combined with an uptick in the unemployment rate are consistent with what economists often expect at the turning point of a recession," DEED Commissioner Dan McElroy said. "October's job growth in six of the industry sectors is a positive sign, and the widening gap between the state's and nation's unemployment rates is also noteworthy."

Professional and business services gained the most jobs during the month, adding 5,500 positions, followed by education and health services (up 3,700), leisure and hospitality (up 1,700), government (up 1,600), information (up 300) and financial activities (up 200). Logging and mining was flat for the month.

Job losses occurred in trade, transportation and utilities (down 4,900), manufacturing (down 4,500), construction (down 1,200) and other services (down 300).

Read more in the Leader’s Nov. 24 print edition.

(Terry Davis is a Hutchinson Leader staff writer. E-mail him at davis@hutchinsonleader.com.)