SIOUX FALLS - The unemployment rate in Sioux Falls has dipped to 2.3 percent, down from a 3.4 percent rate in January.

But the low rate is making it harder for businesses to find qualified applicants for openings, said Bill Linsenmeyer, owner of Express Personnel employment agency.

"When you're at a low unemployment rate, it's extremely frustrating to get good quality people," he said.

The jobless rate is low because the economy is growing, according to Ralph Brown, a University of South Dakota economist.

"Sioux Falls' employment is growing at 3.5 percent a year. South Dakota is only growing at 2.5 percent, and the nation is growing at 1.5 percent," Brown said.

Sanford Health is having trouble filling entry-level jobs, said Janel Tacke, Sanford Health employment manager.

"I think it will continue to be difficult to fill entry-level positions because the community is growing quite rapidly and Sanford is growing as well," she said.

Sioux Falls generally is a good place to find workers, said Kristen Brewe of Esurance. For the most part, "there are a lot of quality people around," she said.

The industries having trouble include those with light industrial work, such as manufacturing and production, said Linsenmeyer.

"When you have low unemployment rates, the people you often hire for those types of jobs feel as though they can pick and choose," he said. "You get workers who need some coaching on how to keep their job."

Wholesale trade, retail, transportation, utilities and services are rapidly growing sectors, according to Brown, who attributes low jobless rates to a strong global economy.

Brown said Sioux Falls' future is promising. "Growth for the foreseeable future is sustainable," the economist said.