In June, Oregon’s nonfarm payroll employment fell by 4,300 jobs, following a revised decrease of 2,100 jobs in May. The largest losses occurred in other services (-1,400), manufacturing (-1,200), leisure and hospitality (-1,000), professional and business services (-700), and retail trade (-700). Health care and social assistance saw the most significant gain with +900 jobs.
Manufacturing has struggled, cutting 1,200 jobs in June, and losing a total of 7,700 jobs (-4.1%) since June 2024. Both durable goods (-5,500 jobs, -4.2%) and nondurable goods (-2,200 jobs, -3.9%) manufacturing contributed to this decline.
- The construction sector also faced setbacks, shedding 400 jobs in June after a revised loss of 2,000 in May. Employment in construction dropped to 111,600 as of June 2025, down from an average of 117,000 jobs between 2022 and 2024, mainly due to losses in specialty trade contractors (-2,600 jobs, -3.5%) and building construction (-1,800 jobs, -5.5%).
- Retail trade continued to decline, dropping to 201,600 jobs in June 2025 from an average of 210,600 jobs in 2022, a total loss of 9,000 jobs (-4.5%). The only sector to gain was food and beverage retail, which added 200 jobs to reach a total of 47,400.
- Health care and social assistance added 900 jobs in June and 1,600 in May, marking the highest growth in major industries over the past year with a total gain of 15,800 jobs (+5.3%). Within this sector, social assistance and nursing facilities were the fastest-growing components.
Oregon’s unemployment rate increased to 4.9% in June, up from 4.8% in May, and 4.1% in June 2024. Compared to May, the U.S. unemployment rate was 4.2% in June.
Greenhill Humane Society ranks top workplace in Oregon
Greenhill Humane Society is recognized by Oregon Business Magazine as one of the “2025 100 Best Green Workplaces in Oregon,” ranking 68th with a score of 241.24.
The list highlights companies and nonprofits whose employees rate their employers’ sustainability efforts highly. Greenhill has implemented changes to enhance its environmental practices and workplace policies.
In 2019, the shelter underwent a remodel that included daylighting, energy-efficient LED fixtures, a heating system with passive zones, and onsite wastewater filtration. Greenhill has transitioned to paperless processes and promotes recycling, purchasing items in bulk to minimize packaging waste.
BLM timber sales bring in $5.7M
The Bureau of Land Management sold 19.2 million board feet of timber on 772 public acres for $5,726,255 through three sales in western Oregon, which is enough wood to build approximately 1,200 homes and support local mills and jobs.
The Medford District sold 2.2 million board feet on 110 acres in the Salt Creek salvage sale to Swanson Group for $101,504, removing fire-damaged trees along BLM roads.
The Northwest Oregon District sold 8.6 million board feet on 345 acres in the Farm Team sale to Feres Lumber Co. for $2,097,545 and 8.4 million board feet on 317 acres in the Brushback sale to Sierra Pacific Industries for $3,527,206.
BLM manages 2.4 million acres of productive forests in western Oregon, ensuring a reliable domestic timber supply while supporting local economies. The BLM Oregon-Washington forestry program supports roughly 2,000 local jobs and generates over $1 billion annually. Revenue from timber sales on O&C lands is shared between the U.S. Treasury and 18 Oregon counties for community projects.
Travel Lane County announces
annual award recipients
■ Destination Award: Creswell Bakery
■ Community Leadership Award:
Bev Smith, Executive Director, Kidsports
■ Sports Leadership Award:
Aaron Wasson, Associate Athletic Director, University of Oregon
■ Convention Leadership Award:
Graduate Eugene by Hilton
■ Placemaking Award: City of Florence Public Arts Committee
■ Legacy Award
Jonnie Helfrich, Helfrich McKenzie Rafting
A big dill
A report from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association notes that pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. for the fourth consecutive year, resulting in increased demand for courts. A $900 million investment is needed nationwide for new facilities. The Emerald Valley Pickleball Foundation is raising funds for a 24-court complex at Lane Community College. Additionally, “picklemalls,” or converted big-box stores for indoor pickleball, are emerging, including a complex in Georgia that will be the largest in the country.
