Southern Oregon employment picture steady

Southern Oregon's economy is somewhat  "stabilized" with  a seasonally adjusted rate of 11.4% for July in Jackson County.  That's the same as for June.  Josephine County's rate was higher at 12.6%.  For Josephine County that's an improvement from the July 2011 rate of 14%. 

There is some specific progress to report in Southern Oregon.  Some government job losses were offset by gains in areas like hospitality, manufacturing and construction.  

Over the past year the picture is even brighter with total payroll jobs increasing by 2.8%