Economy in Grant County keeps chugging along

YAKIMA - The average annual unemployment rate in Grant County decreased eight-tenths of a percentage point between 2012 and 2013, from 9.6 to 8.8 percent.

It decreased three-tenths of a percentage point November of last year to 8.5 percent from the 8.8 percent reading in November 2013 - a step in the right direction for the local economy.

The last time a November unemployment rate was this low in Grant County was six years ago (in November 2008) when the rate was 7.1 percent.

Between 2012 and 2013, Grant County's labor market provided 380 new nonfarm jobs, an average annual increase of 1.4 percent. That was less robust than the State's 2.3 percent job growth rate in 2013.

Local employers provided 28,560 nonfarm jobs this November, a 1,200 job and 4.4 percent expansion from the 27,360 recorded in November 2013. The Grant County economy has registered year-over-year nonfarm employment increases for the past 26 months (from October 2012 through November 2014).

The Grant County civilian labor force expanded by 0.5 percent in 2013. However, on a year-over-year basis, the labor force shrank from January through June 2014 before expanding from July through November 2014.

Between the Novembers of 2013 and 2014 the CLF jumped 7.8 percent, from 40,270 to 43,420 residents (meaning that 3,150 more residents were in the labor force). One of the factors that drew workers back into the labor force in November 2014 was this year's bumper apple crop.

Although the number of unemployed residing in Grant County rose from 3,560 in November 2013 to 3,670 in November 2014 (meaning that 110 more residents were out of work), the county's unemployment rate declined from 8.8 to 8.5 percent during this timeframe.

Preliminary estimates illustrate that Grant County's nonfarm employers provided 1,200 more jobs in November 2014 than in November 2013, a 4.4 percent upturn.

Grant County's manufacturing industry has been adding workers for the past 15 months. This industry increased 8.4 percent between the Novembers of 2013 and 2014, from 4,500 to 4,880, a strong 380 job expansion.

This year over year expansion was led by local durable goods manufacturing firms (up 300 jobs and 15.5 percent) and helped by nondurable goods manufacturing companies (up 80 jobs and 3.1 percent).

Wholesale trade accounted for 1,440 jobs in November 2013 versus 1,540 in November 2014, a 6.9 percent increase and a gain of 100 jobs.

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities provided 980 jobs in November 2013 versus 910 in November 2014, a 7.1 percent decrease and a loss of 70 jobs.

Some of this over-the-year job loss was likely caused by the effects of the West Coast ports labor dispute and work slowdown.

Private education and health services advanced by 260 jobs, a 9.6 percent decrease, between the Novembers of 2013 and 2014. Year over year, Grant County's private education and health services industry has added jobs for eight months (from April through November 2014). Statewide, this industry has been adding workers for at least the past 83 months (from January 2008 through November 2014).

Leisure and hospitality (primarily hotels and restaurants) posted year-over-year gains for the last six months (June through November 2014). Between the Novembers of 2013 and 2014, this industry gained 300 jobs countywide, a 13.5 percent expansion.

Although the 2014 bumper apple crop was great news for Central Washington's economy, the recent labor dispute affecting 29 West Coast seaports has hurt local fruit and hay exporters.

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) have been in contract negotiations since May 2014.