Employment in South Coast: February 2020 Last Employment Data Prior to COVID-19 Impact, April 1

Coos County total payroll employment rose by 320 jobs in February. The largest gain was in government, up by 200, with most of the increase in the local education component. Other gains were estimated in professional and business services (+60); private educational and health services (+30); and in leisure and hospitality (+30).
Coos County payroll employment increased by 90 jobs over the year. Notable increases were estimated in retail trade (+90) and education and health services (+60). Employment losses were noted in wood product manufacturing (-120) and professional and business services (-60). Curry County total payroll employment added 80 jobs over the month with a gain of 20 jobs in both construction and local government education. Manufacturing lost 20 jobs in February. Curry County nonfarm employment gained 80 jobs over the year. Government employment rose by 80 including 50 jobs in non-education local government and 30 jobs in local government. Wood product manufacturing was up by 30 jobs and construction gained 20 jobs since February 2019. Information employment slipped by 20 jobs over the year. Record Initial Unemployment Insurance Claims in Oregon – During the week of March 15-21, 2020 the Oregon Employment Department processed around 22,800 Unemployment Insurance claims, four times more than the 4,900 processed the week prior. The department received a total of 76,500 claims online and by phone, around 20 times the workload experienced in a typical week. The Employment Department is rapidly redeploying its staff, opening additional phone lines, and hiring new staff in an attempt to address this unprecedented surge in claims. The department is still offering job seeker and employer services with additional, socially distanced options. We are present to help Oregonians who have experienced tremendous disruptions, while also doing our part to follow health and safety guidelines for our communities. More information on Unemployment Insurance benefits can be found here: https://govstatus.egov.com/ORUnemployment_COVID19