Job Growth Up In 2000 Overall, But Slows During Second Half

PORTLAND-Job Growth in Portland in 2000 was 20,100 jobs or 2.1%, an improvement on the previous two years, according to data released Friday by the Oregon Employment Department. Fourth quarter layoffs sparked by fuel prices and interest rates kept the numbers from being even better, however, and the slowing trend is expected to continue through the spring and summer of 2001.

In 1999, 13,000 jobs were created, and in 1998, new jobs totaled 16,000. From 1994 to 1997, however, between 35,000 and 40,000 jobs were created each year. In 2000, the greater Portland area created most of the new jobs. Taking in all of Oregon, job growth was closer to 1.4%.