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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Man commits suicide in front of RR police station Winter Lights Festival kicks off tonight in Medford Train lovers: head down to Medford Armory today Public meetings, Dec. 1-5, 2014 'One spark of enthusiasm' has ignited town's can-do attitude Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services Wrap Up, Nov. 28 Former Central Point residents accused of abusing their adopted children Homemade bomb found inside stolen car after arrest of fleeing transient Police gain a clue in pumpkin smashing spree Politics and Elections Buckley again named Ways and Means Committee co-chairman Latest count shows Measure 92 supporters narrowing deficit Granlund cartoon: GOP wrecking balls Ballot measures played little role in mobilizing voters in state Senate race 'Euphoria' over pot initiative Education Homelessness is growing problem for Medford students Les AuCoin recommended for SOU board Good news for SOU: Enrollment's up Mom gives school lobby a makeover Crater students present play about Thoreau's night in jail Environment Hawks use I-5 as hunting ground Curbing urban runoff in Gold Hill Mt. View Estates' fill, riprap work lacked county permit Birders sought for bird counts Grow 'em before you plant 'em State News Bill would tighten limits on license plate readers UO teaching assistants prepared to strike Growers cheer higher Christmas tree prices Police dog fired for poor performance Turkey's great escape foils Thanksgiving plans Nation - World Grand jury won't indict Ferguson cop in shooting Obituaries Earle Morgan Swift Jr. Death Notices Lue K. 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Asante expands cardiac center Jackson County sees workforce and job growth Regional hotels and motels outperformed statewide marks in October Incorrect labeling prompts Kroger ice cream recall Real Estate News Dear Monty: Violation of HOA rules creates conflict Farmers file suit over GMO crop ban Financial webinars offered for veterans and their families Home prices rise across Jackson County People In Business People in Business, Nov. 18 People in Business, Nov. 8 Transportation Allegiant Air will resume Medford-Phoenix service May 22 Medford airport passenger counts sky high in October Erickson reports third quarter profit Agriculture Farmers file suit over GMO crop ban Lawsuit seeks to overturn Jackson County's GMO ban or net $4.2 million for farms Latest count shows Measure 92 supporters narrowing deficit Opinion Latest Other Views: Klamath Basin agreement deserves approval Granlund cartoon: Holiday boxes Kent Bush: Ferguson case shows racism belief system still reinforced Maddocks: Republicans claim president overstepped his constitutional powers in pardoning turkeys Amy Gehrt: Justice is not color-blind Editorials Other Views: Klamath Basin agreement deserves approval Our View: Cheers (too thankful for a jeer this week) Our View: Day of abundance, season of sharing Another View: Logging still has a place in Oregon Our View: Lawsuit reopens the GMO debate Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Nov. 28 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 27 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 26 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 24 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 23 Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Are we the preferred path to global devastation? 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Police gain a clue in pumpkin smashing spree ... Neglect leads list of adult care facility failings ... Homemade bomb found inside stolen car after arrest of fleeing transient ... Police gain a clue in pumpkin smashing spree ... Neglect leads list of adult care facility failings ... EMPLOYMENT Jackson County sees workforce and job growth Figures compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicated October's seasonally adjusted jobless rate was 8.5 percent, an incremental improvement over September's 8.6 percent reading, but well below the 9.3 percent October 2013 mark. By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 25, 2014 @ 9:46 am By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 25, 2014 @ 9:46 am » Social News Jackson County saw tangible employment improvement during October. The labor force and employment figures trended up both month-over-month and year-over-year, showing expanding strength across a variety of industry sectors. Figures compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicated October's seasonally adjusted jobless rate was 8.5 percent, an incremental improvement over September's 8.6 percent reading, but well below the 9.3 percent October 2013 mark. Total payroll employment rose by 1,630 in October. During the past 12 months, 2,190 jobs were added for a growth rate of 2.8 percent. "We're finally adding jobs in a lot of industries," said Guy Tauer, a regional economist with the state Employment Department. "Across the board, we're seeing numbers that are on an upwards trajectory. But there are still a few weak spots." The biggest employment boost between October and September was the federal government, with transportation, trade and utilities combing to produce 740 positions. Retail trade contributed an additional 720 paychecks.  "A lot of that 720 is related to big-box hiring," Tauer said. "Retail is always one of the big movers this time of the year. We will see it peak in November and December as we reach the peak of seasonal hiring in Jackson County." While summer produces the largest leisure and hospitality employment, Tauer said a bit of snow could add to the numbers. "This is generally a quieter season for leisure and hospitality," Tauer said. "Hopefully,  it is not going to be as quiet as last year when Mount Ashland didn't open. Hopefully, ski season will get under way soon." Among the weak spots, is the information sector, which includes all aspects of communications, The sector picked up 10 jobs last month, but is down 140 over the past year. "We're seeing fewer land lines, with more cell phones," Tauer said. "Generally, when you have a problem with your phone, you won't be going to a brick-and-mortar store. You'll go online or they will mail you a phone from outside the area if there is a problem." Although construction declined in October by 100 jobs, over the past year the sector has created 220 more positions. "Construction is slowly moving out of its deepest doldrums after years of losing jobs," Tauer said. Financial activities, which takes in real estate sales, mortgage lending and banks, picked up 30 jobs last month, but is still down 30 from a year ago. "Financial activities have been pretty weak statewide, and certainly in the Rogue Valley as well," Tauer said. Southern Oregon still trails many regions in job creation with the state as a whole maintaining a 7.0 percent seasonally adjust jobless rate. But even neighboring Josephine County, which remained in double-digit unemployment a year ago, came in with a seasonally adjusted 9.6 percent figure for the second month in a row. "Jackson County is not matching the statewide growth trends, but we're getting there," Tauer said. "We've been late to the party, but we're at the punch bowl now." Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 541-776-4463 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GregMTBusiness, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/greg.stiles.31, and read his blog at www.mailtribune.com/Economic Edge. By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 25, 2014 @ 9:46 am » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2014 Local Media Group, Inc. 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