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Jackson County’s job creation rate slowed to 1 percent in October. However, that might be more in keeping with worker interest than employer need. “We’re not seeing any slowdown in requests,” said Nikki Jones of Express Employment in Medford. “What we’re seeing is a slowdown because of the lack of applicants.” October employment figures produced by the Bureau of Labor Statistics pegged the county’s unemployment rate at 4.8 percent, up from 4.5 percent in September and 4.7 percent a year ago. Jones thinks more people could be working if more people wanted jobs. She’s trying to fill 60 openings for her clients and needs to hire 85 people in all. “It runs the gamut,” she said. “Purchasing, housekeeping, carpenters, sales, call center, accountant, manufacturing production, IT support and technical writer.” While some economic forecasters are pointing to a slowdown in coming months, Jones said her industry’s analysts have a different take. “The Staffing Industry Report projects our industry will have a 3 percent increase in 2019,” Jones said. “That’s a lot of money when you consider that across the whole country.” Jones said that it’s not uncommon for companies to ease up near the end of the year as their budgets dwindle. Total payroll employment rose by 410 jobs in October, led by local government education hiring that netted 840 jobs. Retail trade added 130 positions. “What we’re seeing is the typical holiday stuff,” Jones said. “Retailers may not have intended to hire fewer people, but they just may not have been available.” As Amazon and other online retailers add distribution jobs, she said, they’re more than likely hired out of the area, even if they are distributing locally. Wood products plants probably won’t see a boost despite wildfire devastation in several parts of Northern California since July. “Even after the big hurricanes, we’ve seen it takes two, three or four years to rebuild,” said Dave Schott, executive vice president for the Southern Oregon Timber Industries Association. “I doubt we’ll see anything happening before next summer, and that’s not going to have a major impact.” Beyond the time to clear, plan and finance a rebuild, there aren’t enough builders available, Schott said. Weed, California, lost 153 homes to fire in 2014, Weed Public Works Director Craig Sharp said. “After four years,” he said, “we’ve rebuilt about 80.” Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 541-776-4463 or [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter at @ GregMTBusiness or www.facebook.com/greg.stiles.31 .