Metro job numbers beat national trend
By Dave Dreeszen ddreeszen@siouxcityjournal.com | Posted: Friday, October 24, 2008
SOUTH SIOUX CITY -- Stacked up against other parts of the country, metro Sioux City's job picture looks rosy, new data suggests.
In September, the metro area added 300 new jobs, dropping its unemployment rate from 3.9 percent in August to 3.5 percent, according to Iowa Worforce Development.
Among the 369 largest metro areas, Sioux City's jobless rate tied for the 31st lower, according to the latest figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Metro Sioux Falls topped the list with a jobless rate of 2.6 percent .
South Dakota again posted with the lowest state rate, at 3.2 percent, while neighboring Nebraska tied for third at 3.5 percent. Iowa's rate was at 4.2 percent.
Twenty-three states posted rates lower than the national average of 6.1 percent.
"With all the bad news... I think our economy is doing well,'' said Joseph Wright, vice president of technology transfer for The Siouxland Initiative.
Wright shared the metro area's top tier ranking with the more than 100 local business leaders who attended The Initiative's annual meeting Thursday. During a luncheon at the Marina Inn here, TSI -- the economic development division of the Siouxland Chamber -- celebrated a series of job growth project during the past year, and looked toward additional capital investment in the coming months.
"When we hear of hardships other people are having, we realize how truly blessed we are to be involved with a community that is expanding,'' said Regina Roth, TSI's outgoing board chair for the public-private organization.
Chris McGowan, TSI's executive vice president, said the local economy has outperformed much of the rest national largely on the strength of its agribusiness and food processing industry, which is more insulated from a downturn than some other sectors.
McGowan told the audience he continues to recruit new businesses, hosting an average of one site visit every other week. Local leaders, for instance, are working hard to land renewable energy projects in each of the three states, he said.
Citing ongoing negotiations, McGowan declined to discuss details of the prospective projects, but said they included elements of wind energy and biofuels.
This summer, a group of investors announced plans for metro Sioux City's first biodiesel plant in South Sioux City.
September'
jobless rate change from previous month
Metro Sioux City 3.5 percent (-.4)
South Dakota
In September, the metro area added 300 new jobs, dropping its unemployment rate from 3.9 percent in August to 3.5 percent, according to Iowa Worforce Development.
Among the 369 largest metro areas, Sioux City's jobless rate tied for the 31st lower, according to the latest figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Metro Sioux Falls topped the list with a jobless rate of 2.6 percent .
South Dakota again posted with the lowest state rate, at 3.2 percent, while neighboring Nebraska tied for third at 3.5 percent. Iowa's rate was at 4.2 percent.
Twenty-three states posted rates lower than the national average of 6.1 percent.
"With all the bad news... I think our economy is doing well,'' said Joseph Wright, vice president of technology transfer for The Siouxland Initiative.
Wright shared the metro area's top tier ranking with the more than 100 local business leaders who attended The Initiative's annual meeting Thursday. During a luncheon at the Marina Inn here, TSI -- the economic development division of the Siouxland Chamber -- celebrated a series of job growth project during the past year, and looked toward additional capital investment in the coming months.
"When we hear of hardships other people are having, we realize how truly blessed we are to be involved with a community that is expanding,'' said Regina Roth, TSI's outgoing board chair for the public-private organization.
Chris McGowan, TSI's executive vice president, said the local economy has outperformed much of the rest national largely on the strength of its agribusiness and food processing industry, which is more insulated from a downturn than some other sectors.
McGowan told the audience he continues to recruit new businesses, hosting an average of one site visit every other week. Local leaders, for instance, are working hard to land renewable energy projects in each of the three states, he said.
Citing ongoing negotiations, McGowan declined to discuss details of the prospective projects, but said they included elements of wind energy and biofuels.
This summer, a group of investors announced plans for metro Sioux City's first biodiesel plant in South Sioux City.
September'
jobless rate change from previous month
Metro Sioux City 3.5 percent (-.4)
South Dakota
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Brandon wrote on Oct 24, 2008 10:02 PM:
Jobs What jobs wrote on Oct 24, 2008 8:24 PM:
Yeah Right wrote on Oct 24, 2008 2:52 PM:
GO Siouxland wrote on Oct 24, 2008 11:13 AM:
Surprising Successful Sioux City wrote on Oct 24, 2008 10:56 AM: