Wisconsin’s Jobs Surge Continues

[Madison, Wisc…] Wisconsin gained 8,300 jobs between January and February this year, according to the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the unemployment rate held at 6.9 percent, down from February 2011’s mark of  7.6 percent.

“Wisconsin’s preliminary February unemployment rate remains below 7 percent, the lowest it’s been since December of 2008, and well below the national rate,” said Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Secretary Reggie Newson “In addition, the preliminary monthly estimates indicate continued job growth overall.”

Wisconsin added 4,000 private sector jobs in February. This follows January’s estimated private sector job growth of 15,700 jobs.

These new employment numbers come on the heels of a report by the Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank forecasting a 1.95 percent in economic growth for Wisconsin over the next six months.  Governor Walker and officials in his Administration contend the Fed’s positive report is another indication Wisconsin’s economy is headed in the right direction.

“Strong signals suggest we are turning things around for Wisconsin’s economy, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia’s newest report of state leading economic indexes provides yet one more indication that our pro-jobs policies are moving us in the right direction,” said Governor Walker. “Although there is much work left to be done, the forecast along with additional economic indicators such as our state’s lowest unemployment rate since 2008 indicate we are heading in the right direction.”