Springfield, Il. (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The national unemployment rate is at a high 4.3% (7.2 million people), with more unemployed people than job openings. But Central Illinois appears to be the outlier in this particular situation.

The Springfield metropolitan area has added around 1,500 more jobs than this time last year.

Ryan McCrady, CEO of the Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance, says Springfield has the largest job growth in the State. How? Well, McCrady highlights regional values.

“The most important thing is how your workforce views work,” says McCrady. “The Midwestern work ethic is a real thing and it’s alive and well here in Sangamon County.”

McCrady also partially credits the increased national unemployment rate to shifting priorities after the COVID-19 pandemic, and a decreasing number of incoming workers compounded with an increasing number of retiring workers.

Nevertheless, Springfield’s unemployment rate is down.

The Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance is committed to advancing economic development in Central Illinois. More details available on their website.