Lincoln County’s unemployment rate remains high



As the economy struggles to recover, the federal government will inject $350-$400 million into the state through the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2010 signed into law by President Barack Obama on July 22..

“Action taken by Congress today will help ensure that thousands of Oregonians will continue to receive unemployment benefits as they continue to seek employment,” said Gov. Ted Kulongoski. “Oregon is still weathering a very difficult economic time, and many people rely on these benefits to put food on the table and keep shelter over their heads.”

About 109,000 Oregonians will benefit from the extension of federal unemployment benefits, according to the Oregon Employment Department. The department said it will automatically move those drawing unemployment into the new program. Interest in the new law has been high, and officials say employment call centers have been swamped with inquires. In a recent press release, the employment department said the state has a record of each claim, and it will notify affected individuals.

The new law extends the filing date for federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) to Nov. 30, 2010. The state provides Oregonians who qualify with 26 weeks of unemployment benefits. The federal EUC provides an additional 53 weeks of payments. About 2,000 unemployed Oregonian with claims too old to qualify for extended benefits will now began receiving compensation under the new law.



Welcome news in Lincoln County



In June, 243 more people were unemployed in Lincoln County than a year ago as the county’s unemployment rate ticked up to 11 percent. The statewide unemployment rate was 10.5 percent in June.

The number of people estimated to be unemployed in Lincoln County rose by 34 to 2,338 in June, according to the Oregon Employment Department.

Lincoln County has the 16th highest unemployment rate of the state’s 36 counties. Benton County at 7 percent is the lowest, while Crook County in central Oregon is the highest with a 16.5 percent unemployment rate.

Seasonally adjusted non-farm employment fell by 270 jobs in June to 17,200. Seasonally adjusted figures compare expected changes with actual changes. A gain of 390 jobs is normal for the month, but Lincoln County’s employment grew by only 120.

While the trade, transportation and utilities sector added 100 jobs, the leisure and hospitality sectors cut 20 jobs, a surprising downturn according to Erik Knoder, OED regional economist. Local governments cut 20 jobs, as did the federal government as work on the 2010 Census winds down.



Reporter Larry Coonrod can be reached at 541-265-8571 ext. 211 or larry@newportnewstimes.com.