ST. PAUL, Minn. – Joblessness in dropped below 3%for the first time in more than two decades, the state employment agency reported. The number of jobless people slipped one-10th a point from December to 2.9% January. This is the first time the jobless rate has dipped below 3% since 1999. Jobless rates in southeast Minnesota:
> Wabasha County: 3.6%.
> Fillmore County: 3.6%.
> Houston Cunty: 3.4%.
> Olmsted County: 2.7%.
> Winona County: 2.6%.
Verbatim
Steve Grove, state employment commissioner: “Today’s job numbers show great momentum at a critical time in our economy. And a jump in labor force participation shows that efforts to connect job seekers with great jobs are succeeding.”