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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Archives Revels Classifieds Real Estate Menu Guide Wedding Weather Subscribe Contact Us August 23, 2005 Southern Oregon unemployment rates unchanged Jobless rates in Jackson and Josephine counties flat for July, August; improved from 2004 By Greg Stiles For the Tidings Southern Oregon’s general employment picture was static in July with jobless rates in Jackson and Josephine counties remaining the same as June. Jackson County’s July unemployment figure stayed at 6.5 percent, down from 7.2 percent in July 2004, while Josephine County’s 7.2 percent rate compared favorably to July 2004’s 8 percent level. The specifics changed, however, in July with total payroll employment trailing off by 1,310 jobs in Jackson County and 440 in Josephine County. Regional economist Guy Tauer attributed those declines primarily to state and local education employers, which were closed for the summer. “Over the last 12 months, payroll employment rose by 3 percent in Jackson County, gaining 2,320 jobs,” Tauer said, noting the growth rate during the past year parallels Oregon’s overall percentage increase. The construction sector added 170 jobs in July and is 250 ahead of where it was a year earlier. Tauer said Census Bureau figures show 997 residential-unit building permits were issued in Jackson County through June, down slightly from the 1,075 issued the first six months of 2004. Retail trade employment rose by 280 jobs over the month and gained 520 jobs in the past year. Growth occurred in furniture and home-furnishing stores, building material and garden supply stores, and clothing stores. Accommodations and food-services employment edged up by 80 positions in July, pushing the overall increase for the past 12 months to 630. Tauer indicated new hotels and restaurants in the county have bolstered employment in recent months. “I’ve heard employment in tourism is up and everyone is having a very good summer — even with the unbelievable prices for gasoline,” Ashland consultant Mark Dennett said. “If you would have asked me six months ago about tourism in the Valley, with gas prices at $3, I would’ve said ‘Boy we’re in trouble.’” Health care and social assistance — surpassed only by the retail trade sector when it comes to employment in the county — added 210 employees in July, bringing the increase since July 2004 to 450. It’s been a good 12 months for many sectors: natural resources and mining has picked up 50 positions, manufacturing has increased by 60, information has added 70, financial activities gained 40 and another 320 people have found work in business services. Josephine County trade employment has climbed by 230 in the past year, and Tauer says Census Bureau data points to further growth. From January to June, permits for 410 residential units were issued, up from 392 permits during the same period in 2004. Wholesale and retail trade employment gained 50 and 80 jobs, respectively, in July. Over the past 12 months, trade employment rose by nearly 200 jobs in the county. DailyTidings.com Home Page Archives | Revels | Classifieds | Real Estate Guide | Weather | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2005 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Deep Muscle Stimulator Ceramic Piggy Banks FREE Entertainment Guide Women's & Men's Slippers Accelerate Weightloss Products Backpacks Online Pharmacy Vegas Travel Guide Search Engine Optimization Student Loans Hotel & Airline Reservations Hammocks Water Filter Helzberg Diamonds Online Casinos Community Bonus Casino Mortgage Calculator Security Systems Mailing Lists Click Here Advertisement .:Advertisements:. Site Search: RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams