INSIDE THE DEED TOOLBOX
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TRENDS TO NOTICE Despite massive economic uncertainty associated with federal funding freezes, layoffs and tariffs, Minnesota enters this moment with momentum built up over the past few years. As Varilek explains, the state’s job market has shown impressive resilience in the face of unprecedented uncertainty, adding jobs eight out of the last 12 months. In fact, the state is adding jobs at a faster rate than the national average. “Similarly, our unemployment and labor force participation rates continue to come out ahead of the national average,” Varilek says. “Southeast Minnesota specifically is among the fastest growing regional labor markets in the state. While its unemployment rate of 3.6% is slightly higher
than the rest of the state, most industries saw an increase in jobs. Over the year, the industries that saw the most growth were Health Care & Social Assistance, adding 1,741 jobs (up 2.6%), and Arts, Entertainment, & Recreation, which added 360 jobs (up 8.5%).” And despite the uncertainty associated with federal policy changes, Minnesota just experienced its largest monthly jobs gain in a year, adding 10,700 jobs in March. While the state’s unemployment rate did tick up to 3.1%, it did so because more people entered the labor force looking for work and remains favorable compared to the 4.1% national rate.
FIND MORE INFO AT MN.GOV/DEED
JOB TRAINING INCENTIVE PROGRAM
MINNESOTA JOBS SKILLS PARTNERSHIP
MINNESOTA PROMISE ACT
MAIN STREET ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION
JOB CREATION FUND
MINNESOTA INVESTMENT FUND
8 | ROCHESTER AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ADVANTAGE MAGAZINE — JUNE 2025
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