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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Construction job gains help fuel drop in Spokane County unemployment

Demand for construction workers was partly responsible for a drop in Spokane County’s unemployment rate, which was 5 percent in May.

The industry has added about 1,200 local jobs since May 2017, said Doug Tweedy, the state Employment Security Department’s regional labor economist.

“Last year was pretty good for construction, and this May was even better,” Tweedy said.

Spokane County’s May unemployment rate compared to a 5.4 percent in April, and a 5 percent in May 2017.

In business payroll surveys, Spokane County employers are reporting a net gain of 3,300 workers over the past 12 months, Tweedy said.

Another seasonal industry – leisure and hospitality – also shows gains over the past year, with an increase of about 900 jobs.

Both industries typically add workers as summer approaches, but this year they shot past last year’s job levels, Tweedy said.

In addition, about 400 jobs were added in the professional, scientific and technical jobs category. Those hires occurred at local universities and medical schools and in health sciences’ research.

Claims for unemployment insurance are down, which bodes well for future job growth, Tweedy said.

“Businesses are laying off less people,” he said. “That’s a leading indicator that this growth in jobs will continue for the rest of the year.”