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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 Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW SOU will pay most of the costs of $2.5 million settlement ... Since You Asked: Reader feedback — diesel self-serve and driver licenses ... Rancher killed in standoff vowed to die before going to jail ... SOU will pay most of the costs of $2.5 million settlement ... Since You Asked: Reader feedback — diesel self-serve and driver licenses ... Rancher killed in standoff vowed to die before going to jail ... JACKSON COUNTY Local jobless numbers dipped in December Comment By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Follow @@GregMTBusiness MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Follow @@GregMTBusiness Posted Jan. 26, 2016 at 5:21 PM By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Follow @@GregMTBusiness Posted Jan. 26, 2016 at 5:21 PM » Social News The Jackson County workforce crested at 101,020 in November then receded below 100,000 in December, corresponding with a decline in jobs. Figures compiled by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that countywide employment dropped by 230 jobs last month, following the usual cycle as the fall buildup toward holiday activity begins to recede. The seasonally adjusted jobless rate declined to 6.5 percent from November's 6.8 percent figure, while showing marked improvement from 8.2 percent in December 2014. In neighboring Josephine County, the jobless rate dipped to 7.5 percent from 7.9 percent in December, while greatly improving from 9 percent in December 2014. Construction, along with leisure and hospitality, saw declines of 100 jobs during the month, logging saw 50 fewer positions. Month-over-month, retail trade added 90 positions, and accounted for nearly one out of five payroll jobs during December. Professional and business services picked up 90 positions, while health care added 50 jobs. During the past 12 months, private-sector payroll employment grew by 2,650, a gain of 3.8 percent, spurred by retail trade and construction. Guy Tauer, a regional economist with the Oregon Employment Department, said the sagging stock market and plunging oil prices had little impact on Jackson County’s most recent monthly job numbers. However, if the trends continue hampering the global economy, Southern Oregon may see changes in the job market. "While we are mostly insulated from the energy and oil sectors of the economy, we are not totally inoculated from slowing demand from some destinations of products sold outside our local area," Tauer said. "On a brighter note, low oil prices have pushed down retail gas prices, thereby freeing up more disposable income for other discretionary consumer spending." By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Follow @@GregMTBusiness MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Follow @@GregMTBusiness Posted Jan. 26, 2016 at 5:21 PM » 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. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events 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 Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site 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 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501