Oregon Jobless Rate Improves---slightly

IT’S NOT MUCH OF A DECREASE…BUT UNEMPLOYMENT IN THE STATE CONTINUES TO FALL.  FROM DECEMBER TO JANUARY THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED RATE FELL FROM NINE PERCENT TO EIGHT-POINT EIGHT PERCENT.  IN SOUTHERN OREGON THOSE LOOKING FOR JOBS SAW AN IMPROVEMENT OF ONE TENTH OF A PERCENT FROM 11 TO 10-POINT NINE PERCENT.  ECONOMISTS SAY THAT WHILE IT MAY NOT BE MUCH—IT IS A GOOD TREND.  

WHILE JOBS WERE LOST IN EVERY SECTOR EXCEPT MANUFACTURING DURING THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED PERIOD, MORE JOBS CAN BE EXPECTED TO INCREASE WITH THE SHAKESPEARE SEASON IN ASHLAND NEXT MONTH.