Solano County Sees Boost in Construction Jobs in June

Solano County Sees Boost in Construction Jobs in June
By Ian Thompson

FAIRFIELD - The number of people without jobs in Solano County in June was higher than in May, but lower than June 2005 due to rises in construction, business, hospitality and health services jobs.

The 500 construction jobs added from May to June is probably an understatement, according to Business Manager Lou Franchimon of the Napa-Solano Building Trades Council.

"We have got some major projects going on, Genentech being one of them with 1,200 to 1,400 people working there," Franchimon said.

The rise was offset by job losses in the areas of government, according to figures released by the state Employment Development Department.

That area's decrease is a normal drop because that is the time when schools and community colleges traditionally end the school year and some school employees are temporarily without jobs.

Solano County's unemployment rate rose to 5.1 percent in June. In May, the unemployment rate stood at 4.6 percent. It was still below the 5.6 percent unemployment rate of last June.

In the construction area, Solano County is profiting from a host of job-creating projects ranging from work on the Benicia Bridge to building a new high school in Dixon.

"It is just very, very busy," Franchimon said. "Solano County is a growing community with a lot of projects. It is very encouraging and the future looks very good."

Fairfield had the highest unemployment rate of the county's major cities with 5.6 percent of its residents out of work while Benicia had the lowest with only 3.1 percent of its residents out of work.

Reach Ian Thompson at 427-6976 or at ithompson@dailyrepublic.net.