By Bill Catlin

MPR News/90.1 FM

State economic officials say Minnesota employers added 1,300 jobs in March, even as the state’s jobless rate increased to 3.2 percent. The unemployment rate rose just 0.1 percent as more people started looking for work.

State officials say the numbers suggest Minnesotans may be looking for better job opportunities.

“Unemployment insurance claims remained steady last month — in spite of the rising unemployment rate,” said DEED Commissioner Steve Grove in a statement. “This suggests that Minnesotans may be looking for better employment opportunities.”

February’s lost in jobs were revised by about 1,000, leaving the state with a loss of 7,800 jobs that month. The U.S. unemployment rate was 3.8 percent. The unemployment rate and job counts are based on two separate surveys.