Central Oregon Hiring Increase, Unemployment Rate Remains

WorkSource OregonBEND, OR — May ushered in strong hiring across Central Oregon.  Worksource Oregon said Tuesday 1,000 jobs were added in Deschutes County in May, 220 jobs in Jefferson County and 170 jobs in Crook County.  Regional economist Damon Runberg told KBNW News much of the seasonal hiring occurred because of a soft April.

“A lot of the jobs we expected to see come on the books in April actually got pushed into May.  And so it made May look really great, especially from the seasonal jobs perspective.”

Despite the hiring increase, the unemployment rates for all three Central Oregon counties were stagnate.  Runberg said while unemployment rates have not changed for many months, the recent hiring boom is reason for optimism.

“The May boost really gets us back on track kind of where I expected to see the numbers going forward into the summer.  So, I don’t think we’re going to see any wild, crazy hiring, occurring in the next couple of months, but I would say kind of a continuation of the trends we’ve seen which is chugging along of the economy, slow growth but consistent growth.”

It wasn’t just Central Oregon’s unemployment rate that was unchanged in May.  The statewide and national figures moved very little last month as well.

Click Here to listen to our conversation with Runberg.

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