Bob Herman, owner of Lady’s Choice Jewelry, sets up a display of his work at Taproot Lounge and Cafe on Thursday, Dec. 10. With indoor seating at the restaurant currently closed, Taproot has allowed local artists and businesses to set up small displays of their offerings on the tables, booths and bar. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Oregon’s unemployment rate declined slightly in February to 6.1% from 6.2% in January.
The reduction in the unemployment rate is less pronounced than the plummet that took place between May and November as pandemic restrictions were eased and jobs added back. However, the rate ticked up in December after Gov. Kate Brown imposed new restrictions.
Oregon added 13,900 nonfarm jobs in February, according to the state Employment Department. Nearly all of the jobs (11,100) were in the state’s leisure and hospitality industry, which has borne the brunt of the pandemic-induced downturn.
The state has largely tracked the national unemployment rate. The U.S. unemployment rate was 6.2% in February, down from 6.3% in January.
-Jake Thomas
