Enterprise FALL 2025 by MAP Publications

Mid-Valley Economic Indicators

Salem MSA, October 2025

Federal Government Shutdown Pauses Employment Reports for Oregon’s Counties

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) suspended the monthly employment and unemployment reports for the nation, states, and metropolitan areas as of Oct. 1, 2025. Linn County ’s monthly jobs data and unemployment rate for September are unavailable at this time. In the meantime, Economists at the Oregon Employment Department will highlight data and analysis that we continue to produce.

Over-The-Year

Change

in Quarterly Employment 2024Q2 - 2025Q2

Source: Oregon Employment Department, QCEW

For more information and/or to be added to the monthly e -mail distribution list, contact: Henry Fields, Workforce Analyst, Oregon Employment Dept. henry.l.fields@employ.oregon.gov | Tel.: (541) 359-9178

Graph of the Month: Federal

Government Jobs. As of the second quarter of 2025, federal government employment in the Salem MSA was 13 jobs lower than it was a year prior. Federal government employment totaled 1,552 which was about 0.8% of all jobs in the county.

In 2024, federal government jobs in the Salem MSA paid $91,880 annually on average, which was 49% higher than the average across all industries at $61,592.

Consumer Price Index

12-month percent change, not seasonally adjusted

items less food and energy (Core CPI)

Mid-Valley Economic Indicators

Yamhill County, October 2025

Federal Government Shutdown Pauses Employment Reports for Oregon’s Counties

Over-The-Year Change in Quarterly Employment 2024Q2 - 2025Q2

Source: Oregon Employment Department, QCEW

Graph of the Month: Federal Government Jobs.

As of the second quarter of 2025, federal government employment in Yamhill County was 16 jobs higher than it was a year prior. Federal government employment totaled 462 which was about 1.1% of all jobs in the county.

In 2024, federal government jobs in Yamhill County paid $104,486 annually on average, which was 90% higher than the average across all industries at $54,994.

Consumer Price Index

12-month percent change, not seasonally adjusted

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Agri-Business of the Year

– West Coast Companies

Honoring a business that exemplifies innovation, excellence, and leadership in agriculture, this award recognizes a company driving the future of regional agriculture. The 2025 honoree, West Coast Companies, is a veteran-owned, family-run firm from Salem. Over nearly 40 years, they have evolved from selling seed cleaners to becoming a leading provider of agricultural processing equipment, representing more than 50 manufacturers. Their team is known for cuttingedge solutions and a steadfast commitment to performance and service. They have also been tireless partners in advancing the region’s agricultural economy such as volunteering with SEDCOR to share expertise on automation and workforce needs.

Small Business of the Year – Salt Creek Cider House

This honor goes to a standout small business driving economic growth while upholding high standards of quality and community service. Salt Creek Cider House is a family-owned business that has become a true gem of the Willamette Valley. Their cidery is both a gathering place and a destination, welcoming visitors, supporting local farmers, and attracting tourism that helps diversify and grow the local economy. Their products are not only enjoyed at the cidery but can also be found at retailers like New Seasons and ordered online, allowing their highquality ciders to reach a wide audience. What sets them apart is their deep commitment to community, ethical business practices, and a passion for creating something that reflects the best of the region.

Manufacturer of the Year – Don Pancho Authentic Mexican Foods Inc.

Honoring a company that exemplifies manufacturing excellence, job creation, and community involvement, this award went to Don Pancho Authentic Mexican Foods Inc., led by Ricardo Baez. The company has prioritized regional growth, sustainable expansion, and high ethical standards. They have chosen to grow in Salem, despite interest from other states, demonstrating confidence in the region and a commitment to supporting local jobs and the local economy. Their latest expansion transformed a former NORPAC facility into a state-of-the-art production space, combining innovation, efficiency, and sustainable reuse of existing infrastructure. Over the years, the company has consistently produced highquality products while upholding high ethical standards. Their ongoing partnership with SEDCOR and contributions to the community reinforce their role as a leader in both industry and regional economic development.

We foster strong community relationships.

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CHris Jones

Bierma

Schacher

Miller

Something New, and Vital

The Marion County community took a significant step forward in bolstering its behavioral health resources this October with the grand opening of the new The Recovery Village Salem Drug, Alcohol and Mental Health Rehab facility.

The Recovery Village Salem is an 88-bed facility dedicated to treating addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions. It brings a full continuum of evidence-based care for individuals struggling with substance use and mental health issues. They provide medical detox (24/7 medically supervised care to manage withdrawal symptoms safely and comfortably) and inpatient/residential rehab for both substance abuse and mental health needs. The facility offers a structured environment where patients live on-site to focus entirely on recovery through intensive therapy, counseling, and peer support. For those who are stabilized and need less intensive care, outpatient programs allow clients to receive treatment while living at home or in a sober living environment, providing support as they reintegrate into the daily life in the community.

The opening was celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony on October 10, which was attended by County Commissioner Danielle Bethell, as well as Salem City Mayor, Julie Hoy. Both spoke at the event.

“My job is to live life through my own experience to represent the people who have a need,” said Commissioner Danielle Bethell, Chair. “I have extensive lived experience in this space of poverty and addiction and mental health. This facility represents a gap filler in the system of care that we desperately need.”

The opening of The Recovery Village is a crucial addition to Marion County's health landscape, working to address the persistent and pressing need for quality addiction and mental health treatment.

“I can't even tell you how moved I am to be in this building and to go on the tour of the hallways, to meet the people who do the work, who get it,” said Commissioner Bethell. “We need to help everybody, insured or not. If you need access to treatment, we want to get you in treatment, and we'll make sure you cross that bridge together.”

Commissioner Bethell also spoke to the need for more facilities

in the community to serve the youth population struggling with addiction and mental health conditions.

Marion County has consistently advocated for increased resources to serve vulnerable populations and expand behavioral health services. This new facility represents a major investment in the health and well-being of our community. We are happy to see this resource come online and serve some of our most vulnerable populations.

What we Owe to Future Generations: Opportunity, Connection, Prosperity

by Commissioner Jeremy Gordon, Polk County

Polk County leadership has long championed programs that support youth career development and public sector collaboration. As each generation faces increased obstacles to achieving home ownership, financial independence, and debt free post-secondary education, it is more important than ever to facilitate connections between future career professionals with employers, education pathways, and regional business leaders. Perhaps no other Polk County program actualizes these local values and partnerships into results more than the Polk County High School Youth Conference.

Every year, Polk County’s Family and Community Outreach Department convenes high school juniors throughout Polk County for a day-long conference at Western University to connect with business owners, employers, and community leaders. This opportunity allows students to have fun, learn, explore a marquee college campus and “Picture their Future” in a way that is engaging and led by their interests and aspirations. Youth voice is engaged early during the planning of the conference, and every junior is able to help determine everything from which education and career tracks are featured to the keynote speaker and music played at the conference.

For the 2025 event, nine different high schools in Polk County participated with over four hundred students. Over thirty-five speakers from eleven distinct career paths spoke and three schools engaged in an immersive campus tour of Western Oregon University.

Students were able to engage face-to-face with a range of local and regional employers and educators. For students interested in finance and technology, they were able to connect directly with Bonnie Beck from Oregon State Credit Union, representatives from Polk Community Development Corporation, and Chuck Sekafetz, Chemeketa Robotics Faculty.

For students interested in learning more about careers in the trades, they were able to have long form conversations

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with Kayleen Williams, Apprenticeship Director for Independent Electrical Contractors of Oregon and others.

Youth with public safety sector interest connected with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Polk County Fire and EMS, a forensic scientist, and an officer with the Hillsboro Police Department.

If degreed or certificate opportunities interested students, they were able to explore possibilities with Chemeketa Community College’s Computer Information Systems and Viticulture Program, Linn Benton Community College’s Culinary Program, Western Oregon University’s Nursing and Education Programs and much more.

To round out the options, professional musicians, tattoo artists, wine makers, and restaurateurs showed students that following their dreams with a spirit of local business entrepreneurship is also achievable.

While philosophical debates persist about the government's role in the free market, our shared core mission is to bring people together, foster connections, and create avenues for prosperity within our local business and educational communities. This also extends to the future professionals who will drive and expand these economies, provided they receive the necessary opportunities and encouragement. As a society and business community, we constantly strive for improvement. As a nation, we should dismantle the economic barriers that young people currently face that did not exist when our own generations came of age. Our high schoolers need opportunities to envision a prosperous future with possibility and variety that are aligned with their talents and interests. I am grateful for the many ways this is already happening in our region. Let’s keep it up.

Jeremy Gordon

Polk County Behavioral Health Building

Carlton Sidewalk Project

by Mayor Linda Watkins, City of Carlton

Several years ago, I met Abisha Stone at a League of Oregon Cities luncheon and heard her story of SEDCOR'S work helping communities complete limited infrastructure projects that provided youth who might otherwise not find a trade or skill as they faced entering the jobs market. The story she told me focused on a project that brought youth and skilled construction workers together. The youth were supplied with the tools of the trade, and their classroom was a sidewalk rebuild for homeowners who otherwise could not have afforded one. Their supervisors were the skilled construction professionals.

The results were a win for everyone: new sidewalks for homeowners who otherwise would have been struggling to pay for the safe sidewalks cities need, youth who finished the project with a highly marketable skill, and the contractors who were able to provide on-the-job training for

much-needed skilled workers they will be able to hire in the future.

We agreed that such a project would be ideal for Carlton where crumbling sidewalks were serious hazards, and homeowners on limited incomes struggled to pay for the needed repairs.

It took several years, including multiple stops and starts and rotations in city staff before we were able this year to get the project going. SEDCOR, Willamette Workforce Partnership (WWP), the Youth Opportunity Program (YOOP), our contractor Willy Kostenborder and several private donors coordinated project activity with the city and Carlton now has close to 1,000 feet of new, safe sidewalks built with youth labor and lots of heart.

Builders now have access to more skilled workers, and the biggest beneficiaries: the students who will finish with valuable, marketable skills that can help provide for their future.

And to think that I almost passed on that luncheon...

Large Commercial to Small Residential Projects

Photos: Local Oregon Legacy

626 High Street NE, Suite 200

435 First Ave. W., Albany, OR 97321

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