Oregon reaches 20-year jobs gain high

By Andy Giegerich

Despite adding more jobs than at any point in the last 20 years, Oregon's unemployment rate continues to hold at the same levels it has occupied since last December.
The 7 percent rate in October was unchanged from the revised 7 percent figure (down from 7.1 percent) logged in September, according to the Oregon Employment Department.
The state added 9,900 jobs in October, the most since August 1995. The professional and business services (which added 2,700 jobs), manufacturing (which added 2,200) and health care and social assistance (2,000 jobs) all experienced pronounced gains.
The state's unemployment rate can remain unchanged even during periods of fluctuation because of the way job seekers are tracked.
Oregon's rate has remained between 6.8 percent and 7.1 percent since December 2013.

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Tuesday, November 18, 2014

SolarWorld announces expansion, 200 new jobs in Hillsboro

SolarWorld in Hillsboro is planning a $10 million expansion that will include the addition of 200 full-time jobs

The company announced Thursday that it would be adding a solar-panel production line to increase capacity in 2015.

The expansion will bring total employment for the company in Hillsboro to 900 workers.

In July 2013, SolarWorld announced layoffs for 100 workers.

At the time, executives cited price declines caused by Chinese competitors selling solar products in the U.S. below manufacturing costs.

On Thursday, SolarWorld U.S. President Mukesh Dulani said a number of factors, including the company's trade cases against China, have allowed for the planned expansion.

According to a SolarWorld release, the U.S. Department of Commerce will announced its final determinations on the company's anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duty petitions against manufacturers from China and Taiwan on Dec. 17. Earlier this year, the government announced preliminary tariffs for China.

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