Linn County's July unemployment rate decreased slightly to 6.4 percent from 6.5 percent in June, according to the Employment Department. Benton County's unemployment edged up slightly, to 5 percent from 4.8 percent in June.

Both counties had unemployment rates below that of same month in 2005 nn 7.3 percent for Linn and 5.1 percent for Benton.

In July, there were 3,461 Linn County residents unemployed out of a labor force of 53,841. There were 2,061 Benton County residents unemployed in a labor force of 41,404. Benton County ranks 10th and Linn County 31st among Oregon's 36 counties in terms of unemployment rates.

Linn County has added 490 jobs in the last year, the bulk of those - 340, or 15.6 percent - in the construction sector. Also growing was wood products manufacturing, up 170 jobs. Benton County has lost 440 jobs, primarily in the manufacturing sector.

"Both counties should add jobs in the coming months as seasonal employment grows during the summer," said Pat O'Connor of the Employment Department.

Democrat-Herald