North Bay labor force shows growth

northbaybusinessjournal.com

Article published - Dec 21, 2007

BREAKING NEWS: North Bay labor force shows growth
STAFF REPORT
NORTH BAY, Dec. 21, 2007 – The North Bay showed growth in its labor force numbers year over year, according to data released by the state Economic Development Department today. Napa County had 1,100 more jobs in November 2007 than the same month last year, Marin County showed an increase of 1,000 jobs and Sonoma County's work force grew by 400.

While the number of jobs has increased, the unemployment rate, a measure of the number of people actively seeking jobs, has actually risen in all three counties.

In Sonoma County the unemployment rate was 4.5 percent in November, up from 3.8 percent last year. The trade, transportation and utilities sector showed the highest growth with 900 new jobs, with construction right behind adding 800 jobs.

Slightly higher than Sonoma was Napa County with a rate of 4.7 percent, up from 3.9 percent in November of 2006. The professional and business services sector led the county's gains with 500 new jobs.

Showing the smallest of the North Bay's increases in unemployment, Marin County had a rate of 3.8 percent, up from 3.4 percent in the same period last year. Industry specific numbers are not available for Marin.

The state's unadjusted rate was 5.6 percent, and the nation's rate for the same period was 4.5 percent.