MARYLAND GAINED 7,300 JOBS IN DECEMBER 2013

Maryland businesses created 7,000 jobs over-the-month

BALTIMORE, MD (January 28, 2014) – Governor O’Malley today announced another month of job growth in Maryland at Domino Sugar, an iconic Maryland business and the largest marketer of refined sugar in the United States. According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) preliminary survey data, Maryland created 7,300 total jobs in November. Maryland’s businesses created 7,000 jobs and the public sector gained 300 jobs.

“I’m pleased to announce this latest round of jobs gains on the grounds of the Domino Sugar refinery, an iconic symbol of American ingenuity lighting our harbor for almost 63 years. Maryland is now one of a handful of states to have recovered more than 100 percent of the jobs lost during the recession with over 34,000 jobs created in 2013. While we continue to make tremendous progress, there’s still more work to be done. The North Star of the O'Malley-Brown Administration has always been strengthening and growing our middle class, building our economy from the middle out, creating quality, family-supporting jobs, and expanding more opportunities to hard working moms and dads across our great State,” said Governor O’Malley.

“Working together to expand opportunity and spur new economic development opportunities, we are building a stronger, increasingly-diverse middle class,” said Lt. Governor Brown. “By making smart decisions during the toughest economic climate since the Great Depression over the last seven years, we have made Maryland the best place to live, work and raise a family.”

This report reflects a steady uptick in job creation rates with significant gains in both November and December of 2013. This December recorded the highest number of private sector jobs for the month since before 2003. In fact, the private sector added 34,100 jobs in 2013—a gain of 1.6 percent over the previous year.

Maryland's unemployment rate has been driven down to 6.1 percent in December's preliminary report, significantly below the national rate of 6.7 percent.

“Maryland’s economic recovery is why the O’Malley Administration continues funding job training programs that provide Marylanders with the skills they need to succeed in the 21st century workforce,” said Secretary Leonard Howie.

According to the data released today, the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services subsector gained 2,100 jobs and the Administrative and Support Services subsector added 500 jobs. The Leisure and Hospitality Sector saw the most private sector growth in December 2013, adding 2,900 jobs. The Accommodation and Food Services subsectors added 3,700 jobs.