Layoffs contribute to Oregon's manufacturing decline
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Manufacturing jobs in many states across the U.S. now exceed pre-pandemic levels, but not in Oregon.
Why it matters: A series of layoffs among the state's largest manufacturing employers — like Intel, Lam Research and Nike — has deeply impacted the industry's ability to recover in recent years.
By the numbers: Oregon lost 4% of its workforce — nearly 7,900 jobs — over the last four years, per a new analysis of government data by the Economic Innovation Group.
- The Portland metro area's manufacturing workforce dropped from roughly 129,00 in 2019 to 124,500 in 2023.
Zoom in: Manufacturing makes up roughly 11% of jobs in Oregon and contributes $36.3 billion to state GDP, according to a recently published report by the Oregon Business & Industry trade association.
- Yes, but: To remain competitive on job growth in the future, the report says that policymakers should address the lack of development-ready land, as well as rising housing costs and taxes that "may be outweighing Oregon's traditional quality-of-life benefits for manufacturers."
Zoom out: For the first time since the 1970s, the U.S. manufacturing industry has recovered all the jobs lost during a recession, but it's been uneven and rather concentrated.
- Just five states accounted for two-thirds of the sector's job growth: Texas, Florida, Georgia, Arizona and Utah.
- Transportation and food accounted for much of the growth. Another bright spot was electronics, spurred on by the Biden administration's efforts to bolster domestic chip making.