Transportation program to generate 15,000 jobs

A program aimed at tying transportation investments to business and job growth throughout Minnesota is expected to create or retain 15,000 jobs over the next three years, according to a new report.

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Minnesota continues to shed construction sector jobs

Jobs in the construction industry continued to fall in December after losing 4,700 jobs in November, according to new data released Thursday by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

The loss of 300 additional construction sector jobs in December was a “continued and surprising weakness,” said Steve Hine, research director of DEED’s Labor Market Information Office. December’s decline is on top of revised figures that show 4,700 construction jobs were lost during November — not the 3,500 jobs DEED originally reported.

The heaviest losses came in civil and heavy construction, which Hine said was surprising because the state continues “to see a lot of those heavy construction projects taking place.”

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Minnesota unemployment rate falls to six-year low

The construction industry posted slight job gains in October, contributing to the lowest overall monthly unemployment rate for Minnesota since December 2007. The state's unemployment rate fell to 4.8 percent for the month, down from 5.6 percent a year ago, . . . .

Developers going commercial again

Everyone knows that apartment development is surging across the Twin Cities. But a closer look at projects that the city of Minneapolis is eyeing for state redevelopment funds shows a different trend: more commercial projects are on the latest list than multifamily projects.

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MN adds 14,500 jobs in Feb; unemployment holds steady

According to Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal, Minnesota's unemployment rate held steady at 5.5 percent in February even as the employers added 14,500 jobs during the month. Minnesota has gained 50,800 jobs over the past six months, especially in professional and business services, and leisure and hospitality. Manufacturing lost 800 jobs in February.

Report: Minnesota skills gap? Not so much

Companies complaining about a lack of qualified job candidates may be causing their own troubles, if a study out Thursday from state economic development officials is to be believed. . . .  It turned out that the majority of the vacancies - 55 percent - were not difficult to fill.

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90 projects submitted for special $47.5 million bonding fund

Mark Phillips, the commissioner of the Department of Employment and Economic Development, doesn't sound too excited about having to decide which projects get funded from the Legislature's special bonding pot of money. The fund . . . has attracted a boatload of attention from cities and counties around the state, with 90 projects having a total price tag of $228 million vying for the shot.

Read more in MinnPost.