Clark County’s job picture will likely continue to lag the nation’s through 2010, said Scott Bailey, regional economist for Washington state’s Employment Security Department. Clark County lost about 3,600 jobs between December and March as the unemployment rate climbed to an unadjusted 14.8 percent in March from an adjusted 14.3 percent in December. The April jobs report is due out May 18.
Bailey said there are signs that employment is picking up locally in some segments of manufacturing, such as electronics, metal fabrication and machinery.
There are other signs of promise. The Columbia River Economic Development Council has reported an increase in the number of companies from outside the area that are interested in moving here. Some homebuilders, too, are generating more jobs this year.
“Right now, we have 59 homes under construction, so there’s a lot of people working,” said Michael Shanaberger, sales manager for Vancouver-based Manor Homes Inc. He estimated that each building site can employ between 75 and 100 laborers.
But the jobless rate in Clark County will likely remain flat for the year compared with 2009, Bailey said, adding that job gains will be offset by job cuts as Washington state and local governments grapple with tighter budgets.
