Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, July 23, 2003
County job
rate better
than state
Josephine County’s
nonfarm payroll employ-
ment rose by 460 in June
and is now 170 above the
number posted in June of
last year.
This represents an an-
nual job growth rate of 0.7
percent. While not remark-
able, Josephine County’s
job picture is still faring
better than Oregon state
wide, which has continued
to post over-year year job
losses in recent months.
Josephine County’s unem-
ployment rate was 8.7 per-
cent in June, unchanged
from the prior month and
slightly up from 8.3 per-
cent in June 2002.
Construction employ-
ment rose by 50 in June,
and now stands at 50 be-
low the number recorded
in June of 2002. Retail
trade employment had a
strong showing for the
month, gaining 110 jobs.
This diverse sector which
employs about one in five
non-government workers
in Josephine County, has
added nearly 300 jobs in
the county over the past
year. Food and beverage
stores accounted for 120
jobs of the over-the-year
gain. Health care and so-
cial assistance employment
was down by 60 jobs in
June, but has remained
little changed over the past
year.
A wide range of manu-
facturing industries added
jobs in June, totaling 50
new jobs in the county.
Despite the downturn in
the local wood products
industry, which has de-
clined by 230 jobs over the
last twelve months, overall
manufacturing employ-
ment has risen by 20 since
June of last year.
With the burgeoning
tourism season, leisure and
hospitality employment
rose by 130 over the
month. This sector in-
cludes food and beverage
service establishments,
amusement and recreation
services, and lodging
places. A deep snow pack,
bountiful spring rain along
with a good Salmon season
bodes well for Rogue
River dependant business
such as fishing guides,
rafting, hotels and other
lodging along the mighty
Rogue. Employment in
this sector stands at 20 jobs
above the year-ago total.
Government employ-
ment, while up over the
month by 110 jobs, has
decreased by nearly 100
since last June.
American Legion Post 70
American Legion Post
70 in Cave Junction wel-
comes the public to stop by
and see its new paint job.
The post is also looking for
veterans to help with chil-
dren’s programs and com-
munity projects. The post
meets on the first Wednes-
day of every month for a
potluck at 6 p.m. and meet-
ing at 7 p.m. Phone Dan
Warden at 597-2979 with
questions.
I.V Golf Course
Women’s
On Tuesday, July 8 the
Illinois Valley Women’s
Golf Club played a “Toss-
Out” Tournament on the
I.V. course. Winners:
1st - Marjorie Culbert-
son.
2nd - Diz Harvey.
KP on #8 - Culbertson.
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