GOVERNOR O'MALLEY ANNOUNCES MARYLAND'S MARCH JOBS NUMBERS

Maryland gains 2,300 jobs, unemployment rate driven down to 5.6 percent in March; February numbers revised up by 1,000 jobs

Annapolis, Md. (April 18, 2014) – Governor O’Malley today announced that Maryland saw an increase in jobs numbers in March. According to the federal Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Maryland added 2,300 total jobs last month and Maryland's private sector gained 1,800 jobs. When compared to last March, Maryland added 14,000 jobs and gained jobs in nine of the last 12 months.

According to the preliminary survey data, Maryland’s March 2014 unemployment rate dropped to 5.6 percent—the lowest level since November 2008. Maryland’s unemployment rate for February was revised downward to 5.6 percent, from the initial estimate of 5.7 percent.

Maryland’s preliminary February jobs estimate was revised upward by BLS, with the originally reported loss of 600 jobs revised to a gain of 1,000 jobs.
"With better choices, come better results. Maryland continues to show strong growth and resilience, with our private sector leading the way by creating 10,900 jobs over the past 12 months, or nearly eight out of ten new jobs. March marks yet another month of solid gains for our economy," said Governor O’Malley. “Every choice we make is about creating jobs, expanding opportunity and strengthening Maryland's middle class. The most important job we create is the next one."

"Since the beginning of the year, the number of unemployed Marylanders has fallen by more than 13,300 and has declined for the past nine consecutive months. We're on the right track and continuing to cultivate our best-in-the-nation workforce through innovative, industry-based employment initiatives such as EARN," said Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR) Secretary Leonard Howie.

"The most important investment the State can make is in our most precious resource -- our people -- this is the second year in a row the EARN Program has received funding from the Governor's budget. Working together, we're ensuring that our companies and workforce have what they need to compete and win in the New Economy."

Over-the-month, the Trade, Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities sector led private sector growth by adding 2,200 jobs, with 2,200 jobs coming from the Retail Trade subsector.

The Professional and Business Services sector posted the second highest jobs gain in March, adding 1,200 jobs with the Administrative and Support Services subsector adding 900 jobs and the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services subsector adding 100 jobs.

Several factors indicate that Maryland’s economic strength is growing. Maryland is one of the Top Three states in the nation for economic mobility according to the Pew Center on the States. For the second year in a row, Maryland is #1 in the nation for Entrepreneurship and Innovation according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. In 2013, Maryland ranked 4th in the nation, and #1 in the region, for total green jobs, according to Environmental Entrepreneurs.