Wisconsin Employers Reported 40 Percent Fewer Layoffs Last Year Than In 2013

Wisconsin’s employers reported fewer layoffs to the state last year than from the year before.

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development received notice that employers with 100 or more workers laid off 4,238 people last year — a 40 percent drop from the year before.

Regional economist Scott Hodek said the statewide economy is seeing improvement as consumer confidence has grown. He noted that low gas prices have been helping consumers save money.

“Consumer spending accounts for about 70 percent of the total economy if you’re looking at it in terms of gross domestic product,” said Hodek. “So when spending is up, we have a pretty good economy, and the last couple quarters have been really good.”

Hodek said the state is seeing stable growth and expects the economy to continue to improve in 2015.