In September 2011--for the first time since July 2007--all five counties in the Southwestern region showed job growth. Year-to-year increases did cover a broad range--from 0.4 percent to 3.7 percent. However, each county in the area seems to have embraced economic expansion. In addition, unemployment is trending down in each county, and other indicators appear to support the supposition of an improving economy.
Beaver County
In September 2011, Beaver County showed the largest percent increase in nonfarm jobs in the region--up 3.7 percent. Of course, in recent years, the county's economy has been subject to the comings and goings of large numbers of jobs connected to wind farm construction. For example, in mid-2010 the county's employment was down 15 percent, but by early 2011, employment had reached a 10-percent peak. The current rate does reflect a net gain of 55 jobs in construction. In addition, the leisure/hospitality industry contributed almost as many new jobs and manufacturing added addition positions. On the other hand, most industries actually experienced job losses. The public sector and transportation, generated the largest declines. To access the current economic snapshot for Beaver County, click here.
Garfield County
Garfield County came early to employment expansion generating new jobs through most of 2010. However, as 2011 moved forward, the county took a few steps back--actually experiencing job losses in the early part of the year. Currently, job growth has returned at fairly tepid rate--1.7 percent. Tourism-dependent Garfield County's biggest industry--leisure and hospitality services generated most of its new jobs in the September 2010 to September 2011 time period. Retail trade proved the only other industry to create a notable number of positions. Three industries suffered significant job losses--construction, information, and private education/health/social services. To examine the current economic snapshot for Garfield County, click here.
Iron County
Iron County has had the hardest time moving out of the job-loss rut of any county in the region. Although the county generated new jobs early in 2011, it slipped back to job loss by mid-year. Hopefully, the current increases--though not large--signal the beginning of employment expansion in Iron County. Between September 2010 and September 2011, the county saw nonfarm employment increase by 1.2 percent--a net gain of almost 190 positions. Construction continues to struggle with employment contraction--as did retail trade, professional/business/services, and private education/health/social services. However, other industries have more than taken up the slack. Leisure/hospitality services, the public sector, wholesale trade, manufacturing, and mining are all adding new positions. For Iron County's current economic snapshot, click here.
Kane County
Both Kane and Garfield counties have shown similar job-growth patterns during the last two years. Both have significant leisure/hospitality services industries. Both started growing employment ahead of the pack in 2010. And, both suffered a brief setback in 2011. As of September 2011, Kane County is showing a meager 0.4 percent year-over gain in employment--just more than 10 jobs. Gains in the public sector and leisure/hospitality industry have proved sufficient to offset losses elsewhere. Yet construction, retail trade, private education/health/social services and other services all displayed notable employment declines. Kane County's current economic snapshot can be found here.
Washington County
Washington County finally dug itself out of the job-loss pit in 2011. However, until the third quarter, gains remained less than inspiring. By September 2011, the county was creating jobs at a year-over rate of 2.6 percent. While the rate is not near the county's average rate of job creation (about 5 percent), the current trend certainly is headed in the right direction and indicates the economy is once again expanding. In addition, the vast majority of industries have crossed over the line into job-growth territory. Only construction and business/professional services (which includes "temp" jobs), showed employment losses. Leisure/hospitality services, manufacturing, transportation, and private education/health/social services made notable contributions to the county's overall net job-gain of nearly 1,200 positions. For Washington County, current economic snapshot, click here.
