Clark County added 100 jobs in June, reducing its jobless rate to 12.4 percent from a revised 13 percent in May, according to a report released Thursday by the state Employment Security Department.
However, the 100 jobs added by Clark County reflect seasonal factors such as increased construction activity rather than a fundamental increase in job growth.
“Southwest Washington has hit bottom, but has yet to turn the corner,” according to Scott Bailey, labor market economist for the region. “With the national economy likely to slow in the coming months, any substantial improvement remains unlikely this year.”
June 2009 unemployment was 12.3 percent in Clark County.
Statewide, unemployment was estimated at 8.9 percent in June, compared with 9.2 percent in the prior year.
