New York announced Monday that the city's employment figures had risen to a record 4.29 million jobs with 249,000 jobs added since progressive Democrat Bill de Blasio became mayor two years ago. The city's unemployment rate has fallen nearly three percent since de Blasio took office in January 2014, confounding initial fears in the business community that the left-leaning mayor would be bad for business.
In the 12 months to January, New York gained 107,000 jobs, an increase of three percent, up from the national growth rate of 2.2 percent. The strongest employment gains have been in health care, social assistance, scientific and technical services, the city said. "These numbers reflect what we're seeing on the ground. More businesses launching and growing here in New York City. More New Yorkers finding good jobs," said New York City's Economic Development Corporation President Maria Torres-Springer. New York is America's financial capital and home to 8.4 million residents.