2/12/2010 - Around Klamath and Lake Counties: High Unemployment, but small signs of recovery
Around Klamath and Lake Counties: High Unemployment, but small signs of recovery
While the unemployment rate in Klamath and Lake Counties remains ridiculously high, there are glimmers of hope. As of the first week in February, there were 61 open jobs listed in the Worksource Klamath office and 14 openings posted in the COIC Lakeview office. These numbers may not sound high, but compared to what they were even three months ago it is a veritable job boom in Region 11.
Klamath Falls-area businesses are adapting to a customer base with less to spend and a desire to spend less. The cyclical nature of unemployment that averaged 14 percent in Klamath County affected businesses throughout 2009. Fewer dollars circulated in the community, making it difficult for area businesses to keep employees, who then had less to spend. The county lost 220 construction jobs from December 2007 to December 2009, 650 manufacturing positions, 100 retail positions and 150 professional and business service positions. The county gained 100 jobs in government and 80 jobs in education and health services.
Lake County is excited about being a hub for the Ruby Pipeline project that will bring up to 650 contractors to the County this summer. County retailers and service providers are gearing up in preparation for the expected increases in their business. The COIC Lakeview office recently held a summer seasonal job fair with the US Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, Oregon Department of Forestry, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service participating and assisting customers in completing applications for upcoming seasonal job openings.
Much thanks to Perry Andrews, Training Programs Manager-Region 11, with the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council in Klamath Falls, Oregon!
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