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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Advertisement Email Story to a Friend April 21, 2006 Jobless rates for Jackson and Josephine counties fall Jobs increased by 1,810 in Jackson County and by 210 in Josephine County during March, a significant increase over last year By GREG STILES Mail Tribune As the number of jobs increased, the unemployment rate fell in both Jackson and Josephine counties last month. Jackson County saw a 2.3 percent annual growth rate in employment in March, as 1,810 more jobs were created, including 730 in March. The unemployment rate dipped to 6.5 percent in March from 6.9 percent in February and below the 7 percent mark of March 2005. In Josephine County, job growth advanced 4.1 percent over the past year, adding 210 new positions last month. The unemployment rate declined to 7 percent in March, down from 7.5 percent in February and well below the March 2005 figure of 7.8 percent. All of that was somewhat surprising, said Oregon Employment Department regional economist Guy Tauer, noting that Jackson County retail trade job growth was well off its normal February to March expansion mode. Retail trade employment climbed just 200 spots from February to March this year compared to 660 from February to March 2005, Tauer said. As a result, the over-the-year gain was just 30 jobs. Advertisement The closing of Rogue Valley Mall anchor store Mervyn's contributed some, but didn't explain the overall decline. "The underlying factors aren't clear, but there definitely wasn't a lot of hiring," Tauer said. "When Kohl's opens up at the old Mervyn's location in the fall, it will counter that." Jackson County's March construction employment was stifled by continued soggy weather as new employment grew by a net of 30 from February. Nonetheless, the year-over-year gain in construction stood at 500 jobs. "We had such wet weather that a lot of things got put on hold," Tauer said. "People were waiting to pour concrete and dig trenches without digging mud holes." He said building permit activity flattened during the period and suggested the increased number of houses on the market might mean some of those proposed homes won't get built. "That may temper construction employment over the next few months," he said. "Having 30 percent construction growth over a period of time doesn't always mean there will be 30 percent growth in the future." Manufacturing gained 50 jobs in March, pushing the year-over-year total to 350. Health care and social assistance, including retirement and assisted living facilities, added 40 jobs in March and were 320 ahead of March 2005. Tauer said the start of the Shakespeare season in Ashland bolstered the tourism-related leisure and hospitality sector, which added 210 jobs for the month to go up 350 over March 2005. Government employment gained 120 jobs in February, with gains in local and state education contributing to the increase. While financial activities employment is 230 positions ahead of where it was a year earlier, the information job sector has declined by 150 positions. Oregon's seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 5.5 percent in March. Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 776-4463 or e-mail [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 Southern Oregon Loans California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Online Pharmacy Advertisements Advertisement