ST.PAUL, Minn. – In a modest sign of a slowly improving economy, Minnesota’s labor force participation ticked up from 68.4% to 68.5% in the fiscal year that ended in June, the state jobs agency reported. Albeit it a minor change, not all demographic groups shared in the growth. Participation for black Minnesotans stood steady at a bit less than 70%. Also, black unemployments went up from 6.9% in April to 7.4% in June. A year earlier the rate was less than 5%. Overall, the leisure and hospitality industries had the strongest growth for the year — up almost 12%,with 28,000 new jobs. Government jibs were off 300 jobs. Construction remained steady.
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Steve Grove, state rmployment and economic development commissioner: “I’d be remiss if I didn’t say there is systemic racism in our economy and that there challenges that black Minnesotans face in finding opportunities in our economy,” said Grove. “And there’s also just sometimes a lack of connection between black communities and employers that have longer term, more stable job opportunities. That is something the state government really needs to focus on. That’s our job and something we want to help