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Scott Walker, Governor
Raymond Allen, Secretary

Department of Workforce Development
Secretary's Office
201 E. Washington Avenue
P.O. Box 7946
Madison, WI 53707-7946
Telephone: (608) 266-3131
Fax: (608) 266-1784
Email: sec@dwd.wisconsin.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, September 21, 2018
CONTACT: DWD Communications, 608-266-2722
On the Web: http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/news/
On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WIWorkforce
On Twitter: @WIWorkforce

BLS Data: Wisconsin Ranks 1st Nationally in Manufacturing Jobs Added Over Last Three Months

Addition of 22,500 manufacturing jobs from August 2017 to August 2018 also ranks 2nd highest nationally, best in Midwest

MADISON – The United States Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) today released state-by-state employment and unemployment rankings showing that Wisconsin's robust manufacturing industry continues to add jobs at a historic rate, with Wisconsin ranking 1st nationally in the number of manufacturing jobs added from June 2018 through August. Additionally, the 12-month increase in manufacturing jobs through August 2018 outpaced 48 other states and was Number 1 in the Midwest. Wisconsin's addition of 1,500 manufacturing jobs in August ranked 3rd nationally and 1st in the Midwest.

Department of Workforce Development Secretary Ray Allen released the following statement on today's release:

"Wisconsin's economy is adding more manufacturing jobs than all neighboring states and our labor force participation rate ranks in the top 5 of all 50 states," Secretary Allen said. "This news follows yesterday's report that Wisconsin now has the most total non-farm jobs in state history. Wisconsin’s business-friendly climate and commitment to develop our world-class workforce will keep us positioned win the 21st century."

Other highlights of today's state-by-state ranking release include:

Wisconsin's addition of 22,500 manufacturing jobs from August 2017 to August 2018 ranked 2nd nationally and best in the Midwest
Wisconsin addition of 7,500 manufacturing jobs from June 2018 through August ranked 1st nationally
Wisconsin labor force participation rate of 68.8 percent was the 5th highest rate in the country
Wisconsin's historically low unemployment rate of 3 percent was the 10th lowest rate in the nation
Wisconsin ranks 13th nationally in number of construction jobs added in the last six months
Wisconsin ranks 16th nationally in number of private-sector jobs added in the last three months

Other indicators of the state of Wisconsin's economy include:

Initial UI claims ended 2017 at their lowest level in the last 30 years.
Continuing unemployment claims ended 2017 at their lowest level since 1973.
Moody's investor Service recently upgraded the state's credit rating, noting that "(T)he stable outlook reflects the expectation that the state will experience moderate economic growth and will continue its prudent fiscal management practices."

The data included in today's release can be accessed on the Bureau of Labor Statistics website.