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VOLUME 35, NUMBER 46 • DECEMBER 1, 2015
San Juan County economy on the rise, but wages stand still By Leslie Kelly
Special to the Weekly
Although employment is up across the San Juan Islands and the economy seems to be rebounding, residents still face stagnant
wages while the price of everything from rent to groceries is increasing. That was the message in a recent report by the San Juan County Economic Development Council.
Victoria Compton, executive director of the economic development council, called the report “mostly positive.” “It’s clear that we are in economic recovery,” she said. “We’re a few years behind the rest of the nation. We’re just starting to see the natural climb out of the recession.” The report included data from the Washington Employment Security
Department, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Western Washington University. Among the notable results is that unemployment in the San Juan Islands has dropped from 6.2 percent in May of 2012 to a current rate of 4.4 percent. The highest unemployment listed was in January 2012 at 8.8 percent. Compton said that included growth in manufacturing
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Holiday Art & Craft Sale!
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HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS FROM SWAP! JUNK BONDS & STOCKING-STUFFER COUPONS!! FUN!!
ART CARDS by Christa Malay 9 different scenes from the Lopez Dump T-SHIRTS & FABULOUS FEEDBAG SHOPPING BAGS Available from the SWAP booth at the Port Stanley School Holiday Art & Craft Sale Sat, December 5 Islander Craft Fair Sat, December 5 Sun, December 6
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Annual Craft Fair Sat., Dec. 5 10 am-3 pm and Sun., Dec. 6 10 am-3 pm Come join us for a wide array of arts and crafts from all islands.
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and technology jobs, as well as a return to full force labor in other areas such as retail and construction has gotten the number of unemployed back down. “It’s only been recently that construction has begun to come back,” she said. “And we’ve seen a growth in small manufacturing and tech.” Examples of that, she said were the manufacturing of parts for Honda outboards and filters for NASA, both which are done in the San Juans. She said she’s also seen a growth in technology companies that produce apps. “They can do their work anywhere, but they’ve decided to work and live here because it’s a nice place,” she said. According to the state Department of Revenue,
business growth on the islands was reported to be up 6,000 firms or companies from 3,000 in 1994 to 9,000 in 2014. Those figures are based on sale tax reports given to the state. One thing that has been an issue for workers living on the San Juan Islands is wages. While costs of goods and services has increased, wages have not. “The best way of looking at it is that if a tomato cost $1 in 2007, it now costs $1.50,” said Compton. “But as a consumer, you are still only making the wages you were in 2007.” That holds true for everything, including rents, which she said are higher here than other places in the state, like smaller towns in eastern Washington, because of the appeal of livSEE ECONOMY, PAGE 5
Spirit of Giving
Sponsored by the Lopez Island Family Resource Center
Jennifer Armstrong Hand Felted Crafts
Leslie Austin
Dragonfly Studios Ceramics
Maxine Bronstein & Debbie Hayward Island Fibers Handmade Textiles & Lopez Wool
Jules McLeland Jewelry & Mixed Media
Terri Roush Fused Glass
Tamara Shane
Copper Crafts & More
Stina Soderlind Beach Jewelry
Kristin Twigg
Woodsia Printed Linens
Linda Ann Vorobik
Lopez School -Multipurpose Multipurpose Room
Willow Studio Jewelry
All proceeds from sale stay on Lopez Island
New Edition Collectibles
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Note cards & T-shirts 2970 Port Stanley Rd. Lopez Island, WA
Sponsor a family (call us for info), ‘Grab a Tag’ from a giving tree at The Galley, Bay Café, Sunset Builders, Lopez Library, Village Market, Islanders Bank, Post Office, Blossoms, Grace Church, or Southend Store Make a donation directly to the LIFRC Call 468-4117 for more information. Contributions can be mailed to PO Box 732, Lopez, WA 98261.