Unemployment rate in Minnesota drops to 4.4% in November, but job losses reported amid virus surge
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development[KSTP]
Minnesota’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped in November to 4.4% from 4.6% in October, according to an update Thursday from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).
DEED reported the drop was due to increases in employment throughout the state and that the labor force expanded by 20,212 in November.
However, DEED reported the state lost jobs in November, on a seasonally adjusted basis, for the first time since April as COVID-19 cases surged, businesses underwent additional restrictions and winter weather hit.
"We can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but many Minnesota workers and businesses still have several tough months ahead while vaccinations are distributed and the pandemic is brought under control," DEED Commissioner Steve Grove said in a statement. "Bi-partisan support for relief targeted to suffering Minnesota small businesses and unemployed workers means help is on the way. This assistance serves as a bridge to hold people over until the arrival of additional federal funding, which remains essential for economic recovery over the coming months."
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Areas that saw job gains included finance, professional and business services, and education and health services. Sectors that saw job losses included leisure and hospitality, information, construction, manufacturing and trade, transportation and utilities.
Meanwhile, the national unemployment rate fell to 6.7% in November from 6.9% in October.