About 2,000 Minnesota Steelworkers Were Laid Off in 2015

VIRGINIA - Officials at the Department of Employment and Economic Development recently praised Minnesota's economy, noting that the state added 42,485 jobs in 2015 and more growth is expected.

But the situation is different on the Iron Range.

About 2,000 steelworkers were laid off during some point in 2015. About 670 mining-related workers have seen their unemployment benefits expire, with that number expected to exceed 1,000 by the time lawmakers convene in March.

Lawmakers and Gov. Mark Dayton are expected to decide this week whether a special session will be called to extend jobless benefits for those workers.

State figures show the mining and logging sector lost 1,380 jobs in 2015.