Sylvester says the lack of available workers is being felt at all stages in the job market, from entry-level service jobs to the high pay technology positions. Despite the market, Sylvester says wages in Duluth and Greater Minnesota remain lower than for comparable jobs in the Twin Cities. Tony Barrett, a professor of economics at Duluth's College of St. Scholastica, says the cost of living in Duluth is about 10 percent lower than in the Twin Cities. But, he says, Duluth wage levels are 23 percent less than in the cities because people are willing to stay in Duluth and Northern Minnesota, despite the relative lack of job choices and low pay. As a result, you're not seeing the out-migration of workers that you would expect when you have the Twin Cities.
Wages are very high down there.
It should be attracting more workers. But, I think there's such a strong desire to stay in this area, to stay in this environment, that so some extent we're isolated. The Twin Cities's pain may be Greater Minnesota's gain. Minneapolis-based Entronix International, which manufactures and sells electronic components, is planning an expansion to the Iron Range, opening a branch in an industrial park jointly developed by Virginia and Eveleth. The company expects to employ 35 people in the short term, and more than 90 in the long term.