Communications-information and hospitality were the two fastest growing sectors in Perham in 2004-2005.
Payroll in Perham increased by 4.8 percent, with three new information-related firms opening; and a total of 46 new jobs in recreation, lodging, food and beverage.
Perham was basically level on the manufacturing front, losing three jobs from January 2004 to January 2005. But that represents a decline of only .4 percent. So, Perham is bucking the trend in many communities, especially in rural Minnesota, where manufacturing jobs have declined, Perhams manufacturing sector continues to hold its ground--and a number of new jobs have already been created since the data was compiled from a year ago.
Total payroll in Perham over a 12 month period climbed $676,052. Average wages rose 6.5 percent over the same period--rising 4 percent more than the inflation rate of 2.5 percent.
Perham is considered an area employment center, with more than half of its workers commuting here from somewhere else, reported Anthony Schaffhauser, Minnesota Department of Trade And Economic Development.
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There are 2,947 workers in Perham, but only 1,132 live within the town--thats a net import of 1,815 workers, said Schaffhauser, during his presentation at the recent Perham economic development annual meeting.
Businesses locate where there is
quality workforce
Workforce is becoming the most important factor in a businesses decision to locate in a given area, said Schatthauser.
Interestingly, the unemployment rate in a given area is not consistently related to business location. In other words, an area with a higher number of unemployed workers is not necessarily attractive to a business in search of a location. Quantity of workers is only part of the equation, perhaps more important is the quality and cost of the workforce.
Otter Tail, Perham population
trends reported
Population trends for Perham, and the area, were also presented by Schatthauser.
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Its not news that Otter Tail is a growing county, as that trend has been clear for several years. Growth in total population was more than 8.4 percent from 1990 to 2000. From 2000 to 2004 Otter Tails total population rose nearly 4.2 percent.
Its also no secret that Otter Tails biggest growth is in the age 55 to 74 bracket.
What is unusual in Otter Tail statistically is that the county has lost 242 people in terms of natural growth--deaths exceeding births. However, because of in-migration--predominantly retired adults moving here to the lakes--Otter Tail experienced a net migration increase of 13.2 percent. From 2000 to 2004 alone, the net migration was 2,769--despite a death rate that exceeded births by 242.
As a comparison, growth of the state as a whole comes from anatural increase, said Schatthauser.
There are two ways to gain a net increase in population, said Chuck Johnson, Perham EDA director. One is having more births than deaths, and the other is in-migration. All of our population growth is from in-migration.
