Report Ranks Salem Low For Job Growth, Creation in 2005

Salem-News.com

(Salem) - Need a job? Then you may want to head to central Oregon.

Bend ranked number two (2) in the Milken Institute 2005 Best Performing Cities Index for small U.S. cities.

However, Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton, Eugene-Springfield, and Salem ranked ninety-five (95), ninety-six (96), and one hundred (100) respectfully out of the two hundred (200) largest U.S. metro cities in creating new jobs.

The index ranks U.S. metros based on their ability to create and sustain jobs. It includes both long-term (five years) and short-term (one year) measurements of employment and salary growth. There are also four measurements of technology output growth, which are included because of technology`s crucial role in regional economic growth.

The 2005 winners have similar characteristics: strong and growing service sectors, a robust recovery in tourism, growing populations and an increase in the number of retirees. As evidence, six metros in the top 20 come from the Southwest, including three in California (Riverside, Santa Barbara and Santa Ana) and two in Arizona (Tucson and Phoenix). The other is Las Vegas.

By comparison, the Midwest has none. The top-rated Midwest metro is Madison, Wis., at 35th. Nine of the bottom 10 spots on the index were from the Midwest ? five from Michigan and four from Ohio ? reflecting the region`s troubled manufacturing sector. Flint, Mich., is at the bottom at No. 200.

For the second year in a row, Florida metropolitan areas dominated the index.

For the complete list: www.milkeninstitute.org.

For a more positive look at Oregon's employment picture, you may want to read the Salem-News.com article, Governor: Steady Job Growth is Evidence of Progress which details more encouraging news regarding Oregon's statewide employment figures.