Big June Job Gains Push Total Minnesota Employment Above 3M

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) _ Big summer job gains have pushed Minnesota's total
employment above 3 million for the first time in state history.

The Department of Employment and Economic Development said Thursday that the
state added 4,400 new jobs in June. That leaves the state's unemployment rate at
3.7 percent _ below the national average of 4.4 percent unemployment.

Job growth in leisure and hospitality led the way while manufacturing and
government industries also added jobs in June. Those gains were offset by 2,700
fewer jobs in education and health services and other areas.

Department commissioner Shawntera Hardy says all of the state's 11 industrial
sectors have added jobs in the past year. State data shows job growth has
increased by 2.6 percent in the last year.