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(AP) - Minnesota lost 6,600 jobs in October even as its unemployment rate dropped slightly to 4.7 percent, the state
Department of Employment and Economic Development said on Tuesday.

      While the seasonally adjusted jobless rate declined from 4.9
percent in September, it was up from 4 percent in October 2006.
Minnesota's jobless rate of 4.7 percent matched the national
unemployment rate.


      Meanwhile, a survey of employers showed that Minnesota employers
shed 6,600 jobs (out of a base of roughly 2.7 million) in October.

The jobs number and the unemployment rate sometimes move in
opposite directions because they rely on different surveys with
different methods.


      "The employment data over the past few months are concerning,
and we will take a deeper look at what is happening in the state,"
said DEED Commissioner Dan McElroy in a prepared statement. 

He said
DEED economists would examine the issue more closely "and make
recommendations on how to encourage stronger economic growth."

      The biggest job losses were in the categories of education and
health services (down 3,200), manufacturing (down 2,700) and
professional and business services (down 1,300).

 Construction
gained 600 jobs, and the leisure industry gained 300.

Gallery

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Business and Economic News

While the jobless rate declined from 4.9
percent in September, it was still higher than the 4 percent which was recorded in October 2006.
Minnesota's jobless rate of 4.7 percent matched the national unemployment rate.

Minnesota jobless rate drops slightly to 4.7 percent

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