[ST. PAUL, MN] – Today, Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan reacted to Minnesota’s September job report, which marked 12 straight months of job growth in Minnesota. At 2.4 percent, Minnesota’s year-to-date employment growth continues to outpace the national rate and has seen the most gains in Education, Business, Leisure and Hospitality, Construction, and Manufacturing. Minnesota maintained a low unemployment rate in September at 2 percent compared to the national rate of 3.5 percent.

“Minnesota continues to be a national leader in economic recovery and expansion,” said Governor Walz. “In Minnesota, we value our workforce and the next generation of employees. We will continue to grow, diversify, and support our state’s economy amid global economic uncertainty.”

“I am grateful that Minnesota has reached this milestone, but we will not stop here,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “Minnesotans have shown that our state’s economy can thrive despite the national or global economic conditions. We will continue to invest in communities and diversify employment in Minnesota.”

Over the past year, Minnesota gained 93,713 payroll jobs, up 3.3 percent. The private sector gained 92,315 jobs, up 3.8 percent over the year. Year to date, Minnesota’s labor force has grown 1.1 percent, compared to .6 percent nationwide. These figures were compiled by the State of Minnesota’s Department of Employment and Economic Development.

In July, Governor Walz announced a ten-year economic plan in a 28-page report by the Governor’s Council on Economic Expansion. The comprehensive report covers recommendations from public safety, to infrastructure, to health care, to reducing barriers to job creation and innovation. In October 2020, Governor Walz signed into law the Local Jobs and Projects Plan , the largest jobs bill in state history, which invested $1.9 billion into construction and renovation projects across Minnesota and created thousands of jobs.

This announcement comes after a summer of record low unemployment rates and a focus on economic expansion across the state.

In August, Minnesota was recognized as a top state to raise a family. WalletHub ranked Minnesota as the 4th best state to have a baby and 4th best state for health care . Minnesota was also ranked third in KIDS COUNT’s 2022 state-by-state comparison of child well-being based on economic well-being, education, and health data. Additionally, Minnesota received AAA bond ratings from Fitch and Moody’s, reflecting the state’s strong economy, record-low unemployment, and highly educated workforce.