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As the economy staggers back to its feet, state economist Mark McMullen told members of the Oregon Legislature on Tuesday that good news is coming from the homebuilding industry.

鈥淭he housing recovery is here to help drive economic growth,鈥� he said in his quarterly Oregon Economic and Revenue Forecast. 鈥淓ven so, housing-related production is just now beginning to improve from its recessionary lows and has a long way to go before the level of production approaches anything considered a normal year for housing.鈥�

Two miles outside the capitol building at Bloedel Custom Homes LLC, Ryan Bloedel confirmed the dark lining in McMullen’s silver cloud. “Here in Salem, we’re not seeing the same kind of recovery that they’re seeing in Portland and Bend,” said Bloedel, the owner of the firm.

“It’s not hugely significant at this point,” he said.

Economic growth in Oregon has averaged just over 2 percent in recent months, said McMullen, representing the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis, with the nation as a whole adding approximately 150,000 jobs per month so far in 2012.

鈥淭he slowdown seen in recent months can largely be attributed to the global manufacturing cycle beginning to wane,鈥� he said.

Employment in Oregon continues to increase at a slow, subdued pace so far in 2012.

鈥淎fter a strong start to the year, with employment increasing nearly 3 percent on an annual basis in the first quarter, employment gains have slowed the past two quarters in Oregon,鈥� McMullen said.

鈥淥regon’s economic expansion persists, but remains stuck in a low gear,鈥� he added. 鈥淕rowth continues to come in fits and starts 鈥� a strong quarter or two followed by a weak quarter or two 鈥� with the underlying trend remaining slow and steady.鈥�

Wage growth has been similarly soft, McMullen said. 鈥淎verage wages are growing at a 1.5 percent rate among production and non-supervisory employees and just under 2.0 percent for all employees overall. In good years, like the late 1990s or even mid-2000s, wage growth reached 4 percent per year.

鈥淕iven such weak growth, consumers 鈥� like the economy as a whole 鈥� remain vulnerable to shocks,鈥� he added. 鈥淓ncouragingly, inflation remains in check for now.鈥�

Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem, told lawmakers he is optimistic.

鈥淲e continue to see growth in our economy and our forecasts continue to be in the black. The signs are positive,鈥� he said.”The housing market continues to recover. The unemployment rate is coming down.鈥�