WASHINGTON—The private sector created 215,000 new jobs in December, a much stronger than expected number boosted by gains in construction hiring.

WASHINGTON—U.S. manufacturing grew slightly last month and factory hiring increased. The modest gain suggests the economy entered the new year with some momentum. The Institute for Supply Management said its index of manufacturing activity rose in December to 50.7. That’s up from a reading of 49.5 in November, which was the lowest reading since July 2009, one month after the recession ended.

DETROIT—The Treasury Department will sell its remaining stake in General Motors in the next year or so, winding down a $50 billion bailout that saved the iconic American car giant but also set off a heated debate about government intervention in private business.

MCGREGOR, TX—Behlen Manufacturing Co. will begin manufacturing farm and ranch equipment at a new assembly plant here. The facility will employ more than 50 people by the end of 2013.

DEARBORN, MI—Ford is spending about $773 million to expand six Michigan assembly plants while adding 2,350 factory jobs in the state, part of a broader investment plan announced last year. Ford aims to invest $6.2 billion in U.S. facilities and add 12,000 factory jobs across the country by 2015.

CONCORD, NH—New Hampshire manufacturers are struggling with the dual threat of an aging skilled workforce and a lack of qualified factory workers.

HUIZHOU, China—Assemblers are logging 12-hour days to churn out the latest handsets at Samsung Electronics’ factory here.

WAVERLY, NE—Valmont Industries Inc. plans to spend between $3.5 million and $4.5 million to renovate an old factory here to make irrigation equipment.

DETROIT—GM will build the next-generation Camaro at its Lansing Grand River Assembly Plant instead of its Oshawa, Ontario, plant.

ATHENS, GA—Caterpillar is accepting applications for assembly team leader and several other job openings at its new factory here.