GOOD ARTICLE: Emailing: Business & Technology State jobless rate stays low Seattle Times Newspaper.htm

State jobless rate stays low
By Drew DeSilver Seattle Times business reporter
One thing you can say about Washington's economy: It's been consistently consistent.
For most of this year, growth in year-over-year nonfarm payrolls has wavered between 2.5 percent and 3 percent — more than twice the national growth rate. Since February, the state's unemployment rate has never been lower than 4.4 percent or higher than 4.9 percent.
November's jobs report, released Tuesday by the state Employment Security Department, continued that trend. Nonfarm payrolls grew by 5,200 jobs last month, for a 12-month growth rate of 2.7 percent, and the unemployment rate ticked down a tenth of a percentage point to 4.7 percent, matching the U.S. rate.
Evelina Tainer, the state's chief labor economist, said that unless December's job report is a disaster, 2007 likely will go down as having the lowest average jobless rate since the current series of statistics started in 1976.
In both 1998 and 1999, the average unemployment rate was 4.8 percent; through November, 2007's average rate is tracking at 4.7 percent.
In metro Seattle, the jobless rate fell to 3.7 percent from 4 percent in October, even though the region's firms added just a net 500 jobs to their payrolls. (The payroll numbers come from a survey of employers, while the unemployment rate is derived from a separate household survey. The two measures often appear out of sync in the short term.)
"A pretty decent report," Tainer said. "We had strength in a lot of different sectors."
One of the biggest surprises was the retail sector, which has been widely reported to be enduring a lackluster holiday-shopping season. But even after adjusting for seasonal variations, Washington's retail sector added 600 jobs last month — 400 of them at clothing stores.
Aerospace, which also added 600 jobs in November (essentially all in metro Seattle), has been one of the strongest industry sectors all year. Over the past 12 months, aerospace employers have added 5,700 jobs, for a 7.5 percent growth rate.
Only 100 construction jobs were created in November, still more than might be expected given the weakened state of the housing market. The sector's 12-month growth rate has been trending lower in recent months but still stands at a solid 7.5 percent.
Financial-services jobs also have held up surprisingly well. The real-estate and lending subsectors together added 700 jobs statewide in November, more than offsetting the 300 jobs cut in the insurance industry.
Warehousing and storage added 500 jobs last month, and software publishers added 400. Private education services and food processing, however, each lost 300 jobs.
Job growth in the Seattle area was led by professional and business services, which added 1,000 jobs last month. That was offset, however, by a big drop in the arts, entertainment and recreation sector — due mainly to job cuts at an unidentified local symphony and the late opening of one of the area's ski resorts, regional economist Cristina Gonzalez said.
Drew DeSilver: 206-464-3145 or ddesilver@seattletimes.com
Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company

Short Term House for Rent - 5 minutes from Microsoft!

Fully furnished short term lease. House available now through the end of May.
3 bedroom/1 bath
Only 5 minutes from Microsoft!


For more information call: Brian 425.208.2323

Theater showing films from India

Here is a movie theatre that recently opened in The Kirkland/Totem Lake area. It only shows films from India.

http://www.seattleindian.com/seattle/moviesnowplaying.asp

Chinese Daycare

Info from a Seattle Destination Services Consultant: Here is a Chinese daycare in which some of my transferees recently enrolled their child. They are very happy with this business.

Little Newton’s Learning Garden
16221 NE 3rd. St.
Bellevue, WA 98008
Phone: 425.643.9627
e-mail: ybeylin@gmail.com

Single Family Home for Rent - Issaquah

http://expo.live.com/ViewListing.aspx?lid=9100069

The house has just been listed on Craig’s List, so this might be easier to respond check out:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/apa/508148735.html



Single family home for rent

View map
Get driving directions
Rent:
$2,100.00
Location:
25414 SE 42nd Place Issaquah , WA
ZIP/Postal Code:
98029
Category:
Houses
Listed:
Monday, December 10, 2007 9:11 AM
Expires:
Monday, February 04, 2008 9:07 AM

Description:
• NICE 4/2.75BATH, 2 car garage, 2200 sqft, lot 5200 sqft, built in 1993.
• Bright, open high ceiling home with skylights throughout
• Located in Klahanie/Heatherwood.
• Spacious master suite, soaking tub, separate shower and walk-in closet.
• Super high ceiling in living room, entry & Kitchen.
• Island kitchen separates family room with the large bright family eating area.
• Hardwood floors, berber and plush carpeting throughout.
• Bonus room downstairs with attached .75 bath can be used as a 4th bedroom/office/music room.
• Private backyard with patio, great landscaping, ideal for outdoor entertaining.
• Sprinkler system in front & back yard.
• Refrigerator, washer & dryer included.
• Walking distance to pool, playground, trail, lake, tennis and basketball courts.
• Issaquah school district.
• No smoking/No pets.
• One year lease, $2,100 per Month including HOA. Tenants are responsible for garbage/yard waste service, gas/electric/water/sewer, mowing & watering lawn.
• First & last month’s rent + security deposit of $1,200 ($200 non-refundable for cleaning).
• $35 application fee for security check.