In contradiction to recent campaign rhetoric, the U.S. economy is improving. On Tuesday, third quarter gross domestic product figures were revised upward from 3.5 percent to 3.9 percent. For the last six months, the national economy has had its strongest growth in more than a decade.

The growth has resulted in more jobs — about 235,000 a month over the last half year. Accordingly, the U.S. unemployment rate continues to steadily decline and is now 5.8 percent, compared with 7.2 percent a year ago.

Here at home, the economy is even stronger. Over the last three months, 28,300 workers have been hired in Minnesota. The 3.9 percent unemployment rate is the lowest it's been since June 2006, and some companies are increasingly concerned about a shortage of qualified workers.

And yet, despite the generally upbeat data, the Great Recession never ended for some. Far too many have left the workforce, and others have been unemployed for six months or more.

So it's especially encouraging that Minneapolis-based U.S. Bank is taking a leadership role by working on a White House initiative to hire the long-term unemployed, who account for about a third of those jobless.

"We think [long-term unemployment is] an important issue to understand," Dana Ripley, senior vice president for corporate communications, told an editorial writer. "You put the right resources behind it, and our expectation is it will be a long-term positive for us — and for a lot of people that we are hiring."

U.S. Bank also continues to prioritize hiring veterans. This is important because despite great gains due to strategic efforts by the Minnesota National Guard, state agencies and many employers, too many veterans are out of work.

"It is important that companies in Minnesota continue their outreach efforts," said Col. Kevin Olson, director of communications for the Minnesota National Guard. Olson added that employers greatly benefit. "If they are looking for highly trained, well-educated and experienced leaders, our service members and our veterans provide that pool of employees."

Ripley agrees: "If you think about a bank, it's all about trust," he said. "Who better to trust as an employee than someone from the military?"

More of those who have served this country, or who have faced the quiet discrimination of lengthy unemployment, may find work at U.S. Bank, which plans to hire at least 2,000 workers next year.

We hope many of those jobs are in Minnesota, so a talented workforce can continue to help the state economically outpace the nation.