Indiana is just 7,800 jobs shy of the state’s peak employment of 2,612,600 private sector jobs in March 2000, according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics released today by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.
“With more than 112,000 jobs added since January 2013, Indiana continues to see positive growth in the private sector,” said Victor Smith, Indiana Secretary of Commerce. “We have worked hard to create a low-cost, fiscally predictable business environment in the state to allow our businesses the confidence and the opportunity to grow.”
In April, Indiana’s private sector gained 10,600 new jobs, which is more than double the average monthly job growth of about 4,000 over the last two years. The growth rate, .4 percent, is twice the rate of overall U.S. employment growth last month.
This data comes on the heels of other good news for business in Indiana. Yesterday, General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) announced it will invest $1.2 billion to enhance and expand its operations at the Fort Wayne Assembly plant, marking a long-term commitment to Northeast Indiana and paving the way for future growth in the state. And earlier this month, Indiana ranked first in the Midwest and sixth nationwide as the best place to do business by Chief Executive magazine. It was the only Midwestern state ranked in the top 10.
“Indiana’s economic future relies on seamless collaboration between government, business and communities throughout the state,” said Smith. “We will continue to do our part and seek new strategies, like the Regional Cities Initiative, to ensure the continued growth of jobs in Indiana for years to come.”
Last year, Indiana companies committed to investing $4.38 billion and creating up to 25,317 private sector jobs in the coming years. Already this year, companies have committed to another $3.06 billion in capital investment and more than 11,000 new jobs.