InlandEmpire - 6/19/09 -  RIVERSIDE-SAN BERNARDINO-ONTARIO METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA (MSA) (RIVERSIDE AND SAN BERNARDINO COUNTIES)

Region declined by 2,700 nonfarm jobs over the month; 77,900 over the year

The unemployment rate in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario MSA was 13.0 percent in May 2009, up from a revised 12.7 percent in April 2009, and above the year-ago estimate of 7.4 percent. This compares with an unadjusted unemployment rate of 11.2 percent for California and 9.1 percent for the nation during the same period. The unemployment rate was 13.1 percent in Riverside County, and 12.8 percent in San Bernardino County.

Between April 2009 and May 2009, total nonfarm employment declined by 2,700 and settled at 1,158,200 jobs. Total farm employment increased by a seasonal gain of 2,800 jobs, or 16.3 percent.

• Construction reported the greatest nonfarm month-over gain, adding 600 jobs. Specialty trade contractors (up 500), accounted for more than 80 percent of the job growth in this sector, mostly from building foundation and exterior contractors (up 300). Heavy and civil engineering construction gained 100, while construction of buildings posted no change in employment levels over the month.


• Three industry sectors, including mining and logging, information, and other services posted no change in employment levels over the month.


• Government recorded the greatest month-over decline, down 1,200 jobs. Federal government (down 1,000), contributed to more than 80 percent of the job loss in this sector. Local government decreased by 300, while state government increased by 100 jobs offsetting the overall job loss in this sector.

Between May 2008 and May 2009, total nonfarm employment declined by 77,900 jobs, or 6.3 percent. Total farm employment decreased by 400 jobs, or 2.0 percent.

• Educational and health services posted the only year-over gain, adding 1,800 jobs. Health care and social assistance (up 1,600), accounted for more than 85 percent of the job growth in this sector, primarily from hospitals (up 1,400). Educational services added 200 jobs.


• Trade, transportation, and utilities decreased by 21,800 jobs. Roughly 65 percent of the job loss came from retail trade (down 14,200), mainly from furniture and home furnishings stores (down 4,200) and motor vehicle and parts dealers (down 4,000). Transportation, warehousing, and utilities declined by 4,400, followed by a decrease of 3,200 jobs in wholesale trade.


• Construction reported the greatest year-over decline, down 22,600 jobs. Specialty trade contractors (down 16,100), contributed to more than 70 percent of the job loss in this sector, mostly from building foundation and exterior contractors (down 7,300). Construction of buildings contracted by 3,800, while heavy and civil engineering construction receded by 2,700 jobs. 

Source: State of California EMPLOYMENT DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT Labor Market Information Division June 19,2009.  Contact: Joe Briceno 1151 Spruce Street (951) 955-3204

Tom Freeman, Riverside County EDA Commissioner stated - “ We are looking to the private sector to create over 65,000 new jobs to make a major dent in our unemployment numbers. Local governments cannot possibly create the 65,000 plus  new jobs needed to cut our unemployment rate in half.  Riverside County has launched a summer youth job program for 2500 people ages 14-24, continues to build public works project around the county, and we are implementing  our new job training programs and service to assistance to laid off workers.  We will continue to offer job assistance from our workforce development centers and work with employers to find applicants for new job openings and identify future job opportunities.  Our business retention and attraction efforts are also ramped up and underway ."

For more on Inland Empire Business and Economic Development

Update 3:56pm, 6/19/09, Senator Dutton Responds to the Riverside-San Bernardino Unemployment Rate of 13%



Submitted to InlandEmpire.us by Tom Freeman