Coast River Business Journal
FEATURE STORY
May 2021 • 7
CAROLYN HOARD
A construction worker carries wood into a new build in The Reserve.
issues and mandates, it’s defi nitely been a strug-
gle with labor to meet the demands the market is
requiring of us,” Pucci said.
According to Pucci, the labor shortage goes
back to the 2008 recession, when students fi nish-
ing high school or college at that time couldn’t get
work in the construction industry. That created a
gap of new talent entering the market, and that gap
continues to be an issue today, Pucci said.
Houck said the lack of manpower has slowed
down builds, while crews have been working
overtime to try to keep up.
“In this market it’s almost impossible to fi nd
staff , knowledgeable workers or workers who
have a good work ethic,” Houck said. I used to
have a large crew but I’ve downsized so I use sub-
contractors now because there were too many
issues dealing with employees.”
Jim Vleming, regional labor economist through
the Employment Security Department for Wash-
ington State, said Pacifi c County has not seen an
increase in construction jobs this year and it usu-
ally stays within 400 to 500 jobs.
“We’re not seeing a big increase in employ-
ment for construction yet,” Vleming said.
Shawna Sykes, workforce analyst at the Ore-
gon Employment Department, said in Clatsop
County, construction employment for March was
at 1,010 jobs, about 10 jobs down from the same
time last year.
Sykes noted that some construction companies
come from out of the area and many construction
workers are self-employed, so the job count does
not always refl ect the number of people working
in construction in the area.
OUR PROVIDERS
ARE READY TO MEET YOUR
MEDICAL NEEDS!
Dr. Fabiano
Internal Medicine
Brianna Ayers, FNP
Family Medicine
Tracy Ramos, PA-C
Family Practice
Dr. Weaver
General Surgery
Dr. Dawson
Emergency Physician
“To provide
compassionate
patient focused
care for our
community”
Steve Bellinger, PA-C
Family Practice
Kyle Shafer, PA-C
Family Medicine
William Chisholm
CRNA
Joseph Murray
CRNA
Ocean Beach Hospital 360-642-3181
Ocean Beach Medical Clinic 360-642-3747
Naselle Clinic 360-484-7161
Ocean Park Clinic 360-642-6387
www.oceanbeachhospital.com
CAROLYN HOARD
Evergreen Construction is working on building several new homes in Clatsop County.
Nikki Hartley-Jonason
ARNP, Family Practice
Lori Sharrow, NP-C
Family Practice
Dr. Laurie Belknap
Family Practice