State lost 10,100 jobs in April

ST. PAUL — Minnesota employers trimmed 10,100 jobs in April, according to seasonally adjusted figures released this week by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

On an over-the-year basis, the number of jobs in the state grew 0.7 percent from April 2007, compared with a U.S. over-the-year growth rate of 0.3 percent. The state’s unemployment rate edged up a tenth of a point to 4.8 percent, which was below the national rate of 5 percent.

"April and May can be erratic months for job creation in Minnesota, depending on when warmer weather arrives," DEED Commissioner Dan McElroy said. "Hiring appears to be delayed in some seasonally cyclical areas, such as construction, because of the longer-than-normal winter."

Three of the state’s employment sectors gained jobs during April. financial activities added 700 positions, followed by education and health services (up 300 jobs) and other services (up 200 jobs).

Construction reported the most jobs losses, declining by 3,300. Other sectors that experienced job losses were government (down 2,600), leisure and hospitality (down 1,600) and manufacturing (down 1,600).

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