JoCo unemployment rate down slightly
From our weekly issue dated May 26, 2010
Unemployment in Josephine County took a slight dip during April, according to the Oregon Employment Dept. (OED).
The county“s raw jobless rate stood at 14.1 percent in April, down from 15.1 percent in March. Unemployment was at 14.7 percent in the county in April 2009.
Neighboring Jackson County was at 12.8 percent unemployment for April, down from 13.6 percent in March. In April 2009, Jackson“s rate was 13.3 percent.
Oregon“s unemployment figures dropped from 11.6 percent in March to 10.8 percent in April. It was 11.4 percent in April 2009.
Nationally, the jobless rate dropped from 10.2 percent in March to 9.5 percent in April. As of April last year, the U.S. unemployment rate was 8.6 percent.
OED reported that Josephine County payrolls rose by 70 jobs in April, but that there was a drop of 630 throughout the past year, a 2.7 percent decline.
The trade, transportation and utilities sector lost 20 jobs in April. A decline of 30 jobs in retail was partly offset by a gain of 10 wholesale trade jobs.
Some sectors of Josephine County“s economy added jobs during April. Some 20 jobs each were added in the health care-and-social-assistance, leisure-and-hospitality, and government sectors, according to OED.
The federal government and local government education sectors each added 10 jobs during April.
Employment gains were made in a few sectors throughout the past year.
Non-education local government and private educational services added 10 jobs; wood product manufacturing added 20; and food-and-beverage stores added 10.
But throughout the past year, OED said, employment fell in nearly every published sector in the county.
Manufacturing lost 100, retail trade lost 150, construction lost 40, transportation, warehousing and utilities lost 40, and professional and business services lost 90. Also, health care and social assistance lost 80, leisure and hospitality lost 30 and federal government lost 30.
Gov. Kulongoski on Tuesday, May 18 characterized the figures as a “welcome turn in the right direction,“ and that, “Turning the corner from job losses to job growth is promising news for the thousands of Oregonians still struggling to find employment.
“With the employment rate remaining flat for six months, this report also reinforces that our economic recovery will be long and slow. That will require state and local governments to be particularly prudent and targeted in our efforts to provide stability and assistance to Oregonians in need, as we work to restore a robust economy for Oregon“s future,“ the governor said.
We want to hear from you!
Add your thoughts with the link below.
Comments returning soon!
Advertisement:
