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County jobless rate falls below Oregon average By SARAH LEMON Mail Tribune Jackson County unemployment rates are up from last year, yet they remained well below the state average for the month of November. Unemployment in November rose to 5.6 percent from last year�s figure of 3.6 percent, but seasonal jobs are keeping rates from reaching the state average of 7.4 percent unemployment, economists said. "We�re still in pretty good shape," said Guy Tauer, a regional economist for the Oregon Employment Department office in Medford. Heavy losses in the high technology industry and equipment manufacturing in Oregon�s larger cities aren�t affecting the Medford area, which never had those jobs in large numbers to begin with, Tauer said. Southern Oregon�s more service-oriented economy isn�t as "rip-roaring as other places," said Steve Lytle, president of Medford-based Gold River Distributing. But when "things get a little soft" in Jackson County, the economy is still never that bad, he added. But the county�s economy will slip after the first of the year, Tauer said. Jobs in the retail sector historically decrease by 1,500 to 2,000 after the month of January, he said. These losses should bring the county�s jobless rate closer to the state average, he added. But employment opportunities during the first three months of the year are historically grim county-wide in the absence of seasonal tourism. The good news is that state economists have said a strong economic recovery is in store by the summer of 2002 once cuts in taxes and interest rates kick in, Tauer said. The recovery could also be attributed to typical cycles between recessions, he added. Unfortunately, county-wide economic gains in the last six months of 2002 won�t be enough to cancel out high unemployment rates for the first six months. For this reason, the year�s job totals won�t be as high as last year�s, Tauer said. Over the month of November, jobs in general merchandise increased by 150. Local and state education added a total of 230 jobs. Social services added 40. Losses in November included eating and drinking establishments and business services, which each shed 140 jobs. Construction has continued a downward trend since November 2000 and lost another 90 jobs last month. The "other services" category lost 160 jobs. Reach reporter Sarah Lemon at 776-4487, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.