’Tis the season for tourism in Coos County, and a time when, typically, there are more jobs available.

This year is no different, although the unemployment rate is higher than it was a year ago.

Coos County’s unemployment rate fell a full percentage point from 7.4 to 6.4 percent from April to May, as education and manufacturing employment rose. This was combined with the job increases in leisure and hospitality industries. Curry County saw more jobs in construction, retail trade and accommodations and food services, contributing to the gain of 140 payroll positions.

The gain in education, manufacturing and leisure and hospitality jobs in Coos County was offset by a loss in professional and business services, but the county’s unemployment rate still dropped because of the gains.

According to a press release from WorkSource Oregon, a statewide public and private partnership devoted to stimulating job growth, Coos County increased its payroll employment by 290 in May. There were 214 more employed residents compared to April, resulting in a 6.4 percent unemployment rate. In Curry County, the unemployment rate dropped nearly a full percentage point, from 7.3 to 6.4, in the same period of time.

The 12-month forecast was more dreary. In Coos County, total payroll employment fell by 40 jobs resulting in a rise from 5.7 percent to 6.4 percent unemployment over the course of the year, from May 2007 to May 2008. The largest decline occurred in professional and business services. Other sectors posting notable losses included Indian tribal local government, construction and wood product manufacturing.

Compared to Oregon’s other 36 counties, Coos and Curry counties tied for the ninth-highest unemployment rate for May with Linn County. Counties with higher levels of unemployment were Jackson (6.7), Wallowa (7.0),  Lake (7.1), Klamath and Josephine counties (7.2), Harney (7.4), Douglas and Crook (8.1), Jefferson (8.7) and Grant (11.4).

The state’s unemployment rate in May was calculated at 5.6 percent, while the national rate was 5.5 percent.

According to the release, Coos County lost 120 jobs in professional and business services and wood product employment lost 10 in the past month, though these losses were countered by 170 jobs in local education. Other industries’ changes included:

* leisure and hospitality employment gained 60;

* manufacturing gained 40;

* food manufacturing increased by 50;

* natural resources (mining) gained 20;

* construction went up by 30; and

* state government gained 30 posts.

In Coos County, over the past year:

* professional and business services lost 260 jobs;

* Indian tribal government decreased by 80 jobs;

* construction lost 30 jobs;

* wood product manufacturing decreased by 20;

* wholesale trade rose 40;

* educational and health services gained 90; and

* leisure and hospitality gained 120 jobs.

In Curry County, the industries that posted gains between April and May were construction, which created 40 jobs and retail trade, which added 20 jobs. Other sectors showed little change in employment levels.

Over the year, construction employment fell by 90, as did manufacturing (-10), natural resources and mining (-40), financial activities (-20), accommodations and food services (-10) and government (-40).

These losses were tempered by a gain in only one sector, retail trade (+20).

Check out additional Coos and Curry economic statistics, trends and data at http://www.qualityinfo.org.