Statewide Unemployment, Labor Force Increase

WorkSource.Oregon.Sign.Stock.1SALEM, OR — Employers statewide have been hiring at a steady pace, and job seekers in large numbers have gotten the word.

“Oregon’s economy added 2,900 jobs in August, which is pretty close to the average monthly job growth that we’ve seen throughout the year,” said state employment economist Nick Belieciks.  ” There are more than 40,000 jobs in Oregon now than there were this time last year.”

Belieciks added that the state’s unemployment rate increased to 7.2% last month.

“The unemployment rate increase in August wasn’t caused by more people loosing their jobs, it had to do with a large increase in Oregon’s labor force.  This can happen because of faster population growth, or when more people start looking for work because they feel that their job prospects are improving.”

The agency says Oregon is now 127,000 jobs above the low in the recession and 20,000 jobs short of the pre-recession peak reached in 2007.  The labor force is less than 2 million, while total employment is more than 1.8 million.  A measure of “under-employment” fell much more steeply, from 16.1% to 13.5%, as the number of people stuck in part-time jobs dropped.

If you see local news happen, call the Horizon Broadcasting Group News Tip Hotline at 541-323-NEWS, or email us.

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Beaver Walk & Beaver Believers Screening

Beaver Natural History Walk & Restoration Site Tour, 4-5 pm Followed by a screening of The Beaver Believers and Q &A Hosted by Maureen Thompson, Beaver Works Program Manager and Kolleen Miller, Education Director for The Upper

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8th Annual Locavore Gala & Fundraiser

We invite you to be a part of something extraordinary – an evening that transcends the ordinary and celebrates the heart of our community. Central Oregon Locavore proudly presents its 8th Annual Gala and Fundraiser, a special