STATEMENT FROM GOV. MARTIN O’MALLEY ON THE GAIN OF 8,100 JOBS IN FEBRUARY
 
ANNAPOLIS, MD (March 25, 2011) – Governor Martin O’Malley issued this statement today following the announcement that Maryland employers added 8,100 jobs in February, a rate of job growth that is triple the national average and marking the second consecutive month of falling unemployment rate:
 
“February’s jobs report shows that Maryland employers continue to outperform the rest of the nation, and that we are uniquely positioned to transition into this new economy more quickly than other states. 
 
“Maryland employers added 8,100 jobs last month, tripled the national rate of job growth, and for the second straight month drove down the rate of unemployment.  Together, we are moving forward by making the right choices and the right investments to create jobs through innovation.”

DLLR News:

Maryland Creates 8,100 Jobs in February, Outperforms National Job Growth

BALTIMORE, MD (March 25, 2011) – Maryland created 8,100 jobs last month and recorded a 0.3 percent rate of growth, triple the national average, according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Department of Labor. Across the nation, 192,000 jobs were created – a 0.1 percent rate of growth. Maryland’s unemployment rate improved for the second consecutive month, from 7.2 percent to 7.1 percent, and remains nearly two full percentage points better than the national average (8.9 percent).

“February’s preliminary employment figures demonstrate that Maryland employers continue to outperform the rest of the nation and that we are uniquely positioned to transition into this new economy more quickly than other states,” said Governor O’Malley. “Maryland employers added 8,100 jobs last month, tripled the national rate of job growth and for the second straight month drove down the rate of unemployment. Together, we are moving forward by making the right choices and the right investments to create jobs through innovation.”

“Governor O’Malley understands that opportunities are created by our challenges. Under his leadership and during a difficult national recession, Maryland has invested in a skilled workforce and prepared its workers to fill the jobs of the new economy,” said DLLR Secretary Alexander M. Sanchez. “Through our commitment to workforce training, apprenticeships, higher education and adult learning, we will continue building on our success and be among the nation’s leaders on the road to recovery.”

February 2011 is Maryland’s eighth consecutive month of year-to-year job growth. The current job level is 43,400 above the February 2010 data. Private sector employers made up nearly 90 percent of this increase. The largest year-to-year increases were recorded in the health care and social assistance (10,600 jobs), retail trade (10,200 jobs), administrative and support services (8,300 jobs) and construction (4,200 jobs) sectors. The largest month-to-month gain