January 2026 Boost Jobs Over Slow Growth Year (Gary and Sally Support Creative Capital, Market Engagement, and New Industries)

(Illustrative Only)

Gary and Sally invented
a new product based on the
needs of multiple industries
and market demand. Their
product is so unique it may
launch a new industry
as emerging science have
created a paradigm shift.

They hire creative capital, 
allow retired folks to
work part time and seek to 
groom younger people. They
and their business are community
oriented. Places
like Escanaba might be right 
where they need to be
to launch a new enterprise.

They are thinking of 
how a Multi-Cluster
in Delta County could
foster a new industry.
In theory.
Multi-Cluster DC

Unemployment remains relatively low at 4.3 percent, and January saw a solid gain of 130,000 jobs. However, total job creation for 2025 was modest at 181,000. Earnings have risen slightly, and some analysts view these developments as signs of a possible labor-market turnaround while other think a short uptick doesn't mean the underlying factors shifted in a month. Growth was concentrated in health care and social assistance, while manufacturing and production remained largely stagnant.

Ideally, more job growth would occur in manufacturing and production fields. Although health care and social assistance are important to society, they are not always major drivers of broad economic value (i.e. the cost of healthcare a long bubble that could be much cheaper.). Expansion into these types of service industries may reflect an aging population and an economy that needs to focus more on renewal and maximizing human-capital development. 

Technology could help bring more people into the labor market and support the creation of new industries. It can generate real economic benefits, but only if workers are prepared to fill the jobs it creates and if those jobs produce value that the world needs. 

Investing in infrastructure, strengthening education, fostering creativity from an early age, and expanding international partnerships could help. Achieving this, however, requires a deeper commitment to new ways of thinking and working. Few know the right answers and those are complet but one thing is sure, the more we develop our society the greater the benefits. It all starts with people.

January 2026r Employment Situation Summary

• Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 130,000 jobs in January 2026.

• The unemployment rate was 4.3 percent, little changed from the previous month.

• Job gains occurred in health care, social assistance, and construction.

• Federal government employment declined, continuing a recent downward trend.

• Employment in financial activities fell in January.

• Other major industries, including manufacturing, retail, transportation, and professional services, showed little change.

• Average hourly earnings for private-sector employees rose by 0.4 percent in January and are up 3.7 percent over the past year.

• The average workweek increased slightly by 0.1 hour to 34.3 hours.

• Revisions to November and December data showed employment gains were slightly lower than first reported.

• The annual benchmark revision significantly reduced the previously estimated job growth for 2025.

• Long-term unemployment remained elevated, and the number of people working part-time for economic reasons stayed high.

• Labor force participation and the employment-population ratio changed little in January.