91ÊÓƵ

Oregon’s construction industry added jobs in July but not enough to offset a decrease in employment overall in the state.

The state’s unemployment rate in July rose 0.2 points from June to 8.7 percent, according to a report released today by the Oregon Employment Department. While that’s down from a rate of 9.6 percent a year ago, last month’s numbers follow a fairly stagnant report in June – during which unemployment rose 0.1 percent from May.

The construction industry added 3,700 jobs in July, more than the 2,500 normal seasonal gain for the month. According to the report, modest gains in residential building permits could be fueling some of that activity and may be a precursor for future gains. The statewide 12-month average for permits issued to privately owned housing units was 764 in June – an increase of 144 from June 2011.

Most construction jobs, though, are coming from building equipment contractors, who have seen the most growth of any construction sub-group. Those contractors added 3,000 jobs in the past 12 months, bringing the total to 23,500 people in July; the industry employs 73,900 people in Oregon.

Other industries that added jobs in July include government (up 1,700 jobs) and professional and business services (up 1,300 jobs). Meanwhile, other services dropped by 1,400, educational and health services dropped 1,200 and the manufacturing industry dropped 1,000 positions.