ACCORDING to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics this morning, the Portland-South Portland-Biddeford area was the only metro area to outpace the state in job growth over the past year.
From the report:
Unemployment rates were lower in August than a year earlier in 322 of the 373 metropolitan areas, higher in 44 areas, and unchanged in 6 areas . . . Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 306 metropolitan areas, decreased in 57 areas, and was unchanged in 9 areas.
In Maine, from August 2013 to August 2014, the Portland area experienced an increase of 5,600 jobs, an increase of 2.8%, exceeding Bangor (600, 0.9%) and Lewiston-Auburn (500, 1.0%). The state saw increases of 9,700 and 1.6%.
Despite slow growth, each metro area saw declines in their unemployment rates–Bangor down from 6.1 to 5.5, L-A down from 6.0 to 5.0, Portland down from 4.9 to 4.2, with the state down from 5.8 to 5.2 over the same time period.
Data released earlier this month by the Bureau of Economic Analysis revealed economic growth in these three areas was tepid.