Local Look blogs: Swinging Into Summer

Each month, DEED's Regional Analysis & Outreach unit produces a series of blogs exploring local labor market information. Please contact your regional analyst for more information. 

Central Minnesota: Central Minnesota businesses are searching for workers, which is good news for job seekers, but is creating challenges for employers. The region reached a new employment peak in 2016, but employment growth is slowing due to increasing difficulties filling job vacancies.

Twin Cities Metro: Scott County is Minnesota's second smallest county by total area (with only 356 square miles), but is a powerhouse in terms of population and employment growth. With an estimated 143,680 people, Scott County is Minnesota's 9th most populated county, and after growing 10.1 percent between 2010 and 2016, it was the number one fastest-growing county in the state.

Northeast Minnesota: According to commuting data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the vast majority – about 80 percent – of workers who live in Northeast Minnesota also work within the region. But the Arrowhead is a net importer of labor, having slightly more jobs than available workers; drawing in workers from surrounding counties but also having residents drive outside the region to find work.

Northwest Minnesota: Some employers are loosening their job requirements – and increasing their wages – to attract applicants. While the percentage of vacancies requiring related work experience has mostly stayed the same since 2010, the percentage of vacancies requiring post-secondary education has been declining.

Southeast Minnesota: While the summer months usually are a boon for the leisure and hospitality industry, another group of occupations play a critical role in peoples’ ability to take advantage of all that Southeast Minnesota has to offer – occupations which repair and maintain vehicles that residents use to travel.

Southwest Minnesota: Medical care represents just one part of the exploding need for health care and social assistance services in the region. Southwest Minnesota is also experiencing tremendous growth in services for the disabled, elderly, low income, or other underrepresented populations, helping find and obtain employment, housing, financial assistance, or other social services.