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About Coast river business journal. (Astoria, OR) 2006-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 14, 2020)
BUSINESS NEWS Coast River Business Journal Staffing ‘all over the map’ during COVID-19 Story by Emily Lindblom Coast River Business Journal elindblom@crbizjournal.com Staffing and turnover rates are all over the map during COVID-19, according to David Reid, executive director of the Astoria Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce. “For some businesses it’s hard to get people to work at all even though unemployment is high, and for others it’s hard to get people to stay,” Reid said. “It’s counter to what normal unemployment looks like.” Usually during periods of high unemployment, employees tend to hold onto the jobs they have and businesses don’t need to offer high incentives. “It’s on its head this time,” Reid said. One factor that could play into this trend is the low inventory of workforce housing in the area. “We already have that pressure on our housing and people can’t find employees because of it, and there’s the additional pressure of people moving here who don’t need a local job,” Reid said. Shawna Sykes, workforce analyst with the Oregon Employment Department, said before COVID-19, the labor market was tight, unemployment was low, employers were having difficulty hiring and many were offering hiring incentives. But as COVID hit, the number of job vacancies in Northwest Oregon dipped by 25% from the winter quarter to the spring quarter, according to the Employment Department’s quarterly job vacancy survey. “Though unemployment is much higher now, some families have members who are at high risk for COVID-19, can’t work outside the home, or don’t have the option to work from home,” Sykes said. “There is a lot of uncertainty about the future.” October 2020 • 9 You manage your business. We’ll manage your loans. ‘For some businesses it’s hard to get people to work at all even though unemployment is high, and for others it’s hard to get people to stay.’ She added that many parents are struggling with daycare needs and overseeing their kids’ remote school work, while many employers have scaled back their hours or remain closed due to virus-related restrictions. According to a recent forecast by the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis, the state may not regain its pre-pandemic economic state for about three years. “I think until this pandemic is behind us, there will be instability within the labor market,” Sykes said. Nikki Underwood Commercial Loan Officer Nikki and the business services team can help you determine the best financing to meet the needs of your business, and can help you obtain that financing at very competitive rates and fees. COMMERCIAL ADJUSTMENT C O M PA N Y Your local janitorial and paper supply... ...and much more! “When Time is Money...and you have collection problems, we can help!” Kurt Birdeno Collection Specialist 20+ Years experience Medical • Commercial • NSF Checks • Wholesale • Retail Outstanding rental obligations Recovering large or small assets 901 Marine Drive • PO Box 57, Astoria, OR www.commercialadjustment.com Email: kurt@commercialadjustment.com Ph: 503-325-0511 • Fax: 503-325-9501 Open to the Public! Pool, Spa & Fountain •Packing Materials • Cleaning Supplies for Ovens, Grills, Carpet & Upholstery • Vehicle Cleaning Products 2240 Commercial Street • Astoria, Oregon 503.325.6362 • www.WalterENelson.com Monday-Friday 8 am to 5 pm Family owned & operated since 1966 We are a full-service propane company where you will find... • Rent and install propane tanks • Tanks from 25 - 1,000 gallons • Gas Appliance System Check • Fireplaces • Propane Heaters (space or whole house) • Gas appliance installations Rental Property Rental Property Commercial Space Commercial Space Professional Office Professional Office Business Visa Business Visa Vehicle Loans Vehicle & & Equipment Equipment Loans Business Credit Business Line Line of Credit 503-815-7276 nunderwood@fibrecu.com www.tlcfcu.org Full-service coffee shop right inside the lobby at our Warrenton Branch ( 1771 SE Ensign Ln )! 1318 Pacific Hwy North www.propanelongbeach.com Visit our website or call us toll free at 888-895-5509 Propane • RV Parts • Dump Station A DIVISION OF CREDIT UNION
