Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon's unemployment rate remained essentially unchanged in July at 10.6 percent. But, as Kristian Foden-Vencil reports, some positive signs were buried in the fine print.

The state's unemployment rate has been bouncing around 10-and-a-half percent for nine months now.

It stubbornly remains a full percentage point above the national average.

State economist, Nick Beleiciks outlined the gains and losses.

Nick Beleiciks: "The state lost 3000 jobs, mostly in the government and private education and health services industry. While construction saw strong gains in employment."

Within that roil of jobs lost and gained, it's important to note that it was the private sector that gained 2200 jobs in July.

Economists will tell you that recovery will come when jobs are added in the private sector -- like manufacturing and construction jobs -- as opposed to adding extra jobs in the government sector.