Document text
Email Story to a Friend June 16, 2006 Lowest May unemployment since 2000 By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Employers were hiring on most fronts last month as Jackson County saw its lowest May unemployment rate since 2000. The Oregon Employment Department reported Thursday that the local jobless rate fell to 5.4 percent in May, down half a percentage point from April and below May 2005's 5.8 percent mark as well. It matched the May 2000 figure of 5.4 percent. Countywide payroll employment rose by 900 jobs in May and has gained 2,040 jobs during the last 12-month period, regional economist Guy Tauer said. Broad-based industry hiring and a growing population base are driving the rising employment, Tauer said. "We're not creating jobs quite as fast as the rest of the state, but they were in a bigger hole coming out of the 2001-'02 recession, while we've stayed at a steady growth rate." Construction employment increased by 110 jobs in May, bringing the over-the-year gain to 350 jobs. Although building starts are slowing, 2006 still figures to be healthy. Advertisement Tauer said 2005's construction boom was a tough act to follow. "We're going to be off that slightly in 2006, but still at a very strong pace in terms of construction jobs," he said. "That's one thing that has boosted wages. The average construction job pays just over $33,000 a year." That compares to Jackson County's average wage of $30,502 last year, up from $29,776 in 2004. Manufacturing employment declined by 20 jobs because of a drop in the wood-products manufacturing sector. Statewide, wood-products jobs have fallen by 300 positions during the past year. "Manufacturing has leveled off, reflecting less demand," Tauer said. "Things ramped up after the Gulf Coast hurricanes to meet some of those needs. Plus mills are more efficient, pumping out more with fewer and fewer people." Retail trade produced 190 new jobs last month, pushing the annual gain to 490, a rate of 3.7 percent. Nationally, however, rising gas prices have bitten into low-end retailers' revenues. "Wal-Mart's year-over-year sales have been weaker," Tauer said. "For people in lower income brackets, it becomes a trade-off between food and groceries and disposable spending in retail stores. It may affect spending patterns." Health care and social assistance, consistent job creators in Southern Oregon, added another 100 jobs in May and gained 330 during the past 12 months. Leisure and hospitality picked up 170 jobs, and 300 more people are employed in that sector than there were a year ago. "Tourism is strong and reservations are above what they were last year," Tauer said. "Shakespeare's advanced ticket sales are higher than they were a year ago. Travelers won't visit as many destinations this summer, but they will stay longer. We're going to see regional driving versus cross-country traveling." That bodes well for Southern Oregon because of its proximity to Portland, Sacramento and the Bay Area. While it was a stellar month of May for Jackson County, Josephine County's jobless rate was the best for any month since May 1990 as the jobless rate dipped to 5.8 percent. There were 330 jobs added to the economy, with the largest increases coming in leisure, hospitality and construction. Since May 2005, Josephine County has gained 1,010 payroll jobs, a 3.9 percent growth rate. Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 776-4463 or at [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Discount Hotel Reservations --> online casinos news Ashley Furniture HomeStore Send Flowers California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Sports Equipment Entertainment Guide --> Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Online Casino Reviews Advertisements Advertisement