Staff photo by Fritz Busch The New Ulm CareerForce office, 1618 S. Broadway, offers free services to individuals and Minnesota businesses 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Services are virtual on Friday. Services include assisting people laid off from work, career exploration and planning, connections to education and training resources and job search assistance including resume revisions and interview preparation.

NEW ULM — New Ulm’s latest unemployment rate is under regional and state averages.

The city’s 3.3 percent local unemployment rate is slightly lower than the Region 9 average. It is more than one-half percent under the state average of 3.9 percent in November, according to the most recent data from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).

The news isn’t new to New Ulm Economic Development Authority (EDA) President Michelle Markgraf.

“We just went through EDA strategic planning,” she said. “Consultants said New Ulm’s unemployment rates were really low compared to much of the rest of the area. We learned there are so many people from the surrounding area that drive to New Ulm for work. New Ulm has a good number of entrepreneurs and jobs in manufacturing and trucking.”

The City of New Ulm has a workforce of more than 66,000 people in a 30-mile radius, according the New Ulm Chamber of Commerce website.

Major employers include 3M Corporation with 700 employees producing electrical equipment, 600 at New Ulm Medical Center, 495 making dairy products at Kraft-Heinz, New Ulm Public Schools employs 306 individuals and 279 people work for Brown County.

Amanda Blaschko, DEED regional analyst said New Ulm’s employment trends align with regional patterns including Region 9 which includes Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault, Le Sueur, Martin, Nicollet, Sibley, Waseca and Watonwan Counties.

She said New Ulm’s unemployment rate increased by 83 people, from 2.2 percent in November 2024 to to November 2025.

“Additionally, Unemployment Insurance data for Region 9 shows initial claims increased from 592 in October to 1,170 in November,” said Blaschko. “The increase is largely driven by seasonal construction layoffs, which accounted for 604 (52 percent) of the 1,170 initial claims, as contractors typically reduce crews during winter months.”

The federal government shutdown last fall delayed the release of job numbers for September through November. Due to the shutdown, some labor force data was not collected for October, so over-the-month change from October to November is not available for some parts of the DEED report.

For those looking for jobs or looking for workers, CareerForce can help with services for people laid off from work, career exploration and planning, education and training resources, job search assistance including resume revisions, interview preparation and more.

“There are many no-cost resources available on the CareerForce site that anyone can access virtually at https://careerforce.mn.gov./ said Mary Haugen of DEED Communications.

CareerForce hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and by virtual services only 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday. The office is located at 1618 South Broadway. Call 507-354-3138.

Minnesota unemployment insurance benefits can be applied for online or by calling 1-877-898-9090. The self-service system is available from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Friday.

A New Ulm EDA Small Business Incentive Grant Application Window is open Feb. 2 through March 31. The initiative supports local small business startups including restaurants, retail, childcare and light manufacturing. Only online applications are accepted. For more information, visit www.newulmbusiness.com/incentives.