OCR Text |
Show Labor market conditions show improvement in Basin Labor market conditions in the Uintah Basin District of Job Service continued to show improvements during the third quarter 1981 when compared to third quarter 1980, according ac-cording to the November third quarter, information publication of the Utah Department of Employment Security. The number of employed persons increased by 2.6 percent. Unemployed persons also increased their numbers (by 1.3 percent) and the resulting seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained virtually the same as last year. However, labor market conditions varied within the district. Uintah County enjoyed a drop in its unemployment rate (from 3.7 percent to 3.4 percent), while Daggett and Duchesne counties both experienced increases in unemployment, according to the report. The number of nonagricultural jobs increased slightly from third quarter 1980 to third quarter 1981. The local government sector generated the largest decrease (35 jobs), while the mining sector generated the most new jobs (125). Job market activities as reported by local job service offices, for the district showed improvement from third quarter 1980 to third quarter 1981. The number of new employment applications ap-plications increased by 85.4 percent. The number of job openings increased by 84.3 percent, and the number of placements increased by 94.3 percent. Economic indicators in the Uintah Basin District show improvements in many business activities. Gross taxable sales for the district grew by 46.7 percent from second quarter 1980 to second quarter 1981. Inflation as measured by the National Consumer Price Index increased by 9.8 percent for the same comparative period. Adjusted for inflation, the district's gross taxable sales still show a 36.9 percent increase. The district's tourist room sales are also much better, this year than last year. Total tourist room sales were 94.3 percent higher (84.5 percent adjusted for inflation) during second quarter 1981 over second quarter 1980. Permit authorized building construction con-struction valuation for the district also showed significant growth. During the period January through September 1981 all of the district's construction showed hefty increases when compared to the same period in 1980. Residential construction jumped by 142.9 percent and nonresidential construction increased in-creased 61.4 percent resulting in an overall increase in -construction valuation of 106.6 percent. Population growth during the period 1970 to 1980 in the Uintah Basin District was the fastest in the state. No other district grew as fast. The district increased in-creased by 63.9 percent, nearly double the state's increase of 37.9 percent. The district's fast growth rate was due to rapid growth in Duchesne and Uintah counties Duchesne County grew the fastest with a ten-year growth rate of 72.1 percent (which figures out to a 5.6 percent compound annual growth rate). Next was Uintah County with 61.7 percent ten year rate and a 4.9 percent annual rate. Finally, Daggett county grew the slowest of the counties in the district with a 15.5 percent ten-year rate and a 1.4 percent annual rate. |