Seattle & Northwest | November 18, 2020

Oregon’s Employment Picture Improves in October, “Freeze” Causes Uncertainty

Oregon’s unemployment rate dropped to 6.9% in October from 7.9% in September, according to data released Tuesday from the Oregon Employment Department. For the past few months, Oregon’s unemployment rate has closely tracked the national unemployment rate which also fell to 6.9% in October from 7.9% in September, though the government-ordered COVID-19 “freeze” places the state’s outlook into a highly uncertain position.

Oregon’s total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 14,200 jobs in October, following a revised gain of 9,300 jobs in September. Over the past four months the rate of job growth has averaged 14,400 per month, following more rapid growth in May and June, when 74,500 jobs were added. Oregon employers added jobs in each of the past six months, and the state has recovered 46% of the jobs cut in March and April.

Monthly job gains in October were largest in construction (+6,100 jobs), professional and business services (+4,300), and leisure and hospitality (+4,300). Declines were largest in government (-7,400 jobs).

The leisure and hospitality sector continues to be the Oregon industry most impacted by the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Employment in the segment bounced back substantially in May and June, but job gains have slowed over the past four months. Employment totaled 162,000 in October, which was down 54,300 jobs, or 25%, since its peak month of February.

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About Dennis Kaiser

Dennis Kaiser is Vice President of Content and Public Relations for Connect Commercial Real Estate. Dennis is a communications leader with more than 30 years of experience including as a journalist and in corporate and agency marketing communications roles. He is responsible for Connect’s client content operations and is involved in a range of initiatives ranging from content strategy, message development, copywriting, media relations, social media and content marketing services. In his most recent corporate communications roles, he led a regional public relations effort across Southern California for CBRE, played a key marketing role on JLL’s national retail team, and was responsible for directing the global public relations effort at ValleyCrest, the nation’s largest commercial landscape services company. In addition to his vast commercial real estate experience, Dennis has worked on communications and launch strategies for a number of residential projects such as Disney’s Celebration in Florida, Ritter Ranch in Palmdale California (7,200 homes, 22,000 acres), WaterColor in Florida and PremierGarage in Phoenix. Dennis’s agency background included firms such as Idea Hall and Macy + Associates. He has earned an outstanding reputation with organization leaders as a trusted advisor, strategic program implementer, consensus builder and exceptional collaborator. Dennis has developed and managed national communications programs for Fortune 500 companies to start-ups, both public and private. He’s successfully worked with journalists across the globe representing clients involved in major-breaking news stories, product launches, media tours, and company news announcements. Dennis has been involved in a host of charitable and community organizations including the American Cancer Society, Easter Seals, BoyScouts, Chrysalis Foundation, Freedom For Life, HOLA, L.A.’s BEST, Reach Out and Read, Super Bowl Host Committee, and Thunderbirds Charities.

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