EUGENE, Ore. – Lane Workforce Partnership is providing a look into how Lane County is expected to rebound after the financial impacts of the pandemic.

When the year began, the county’s economy was undergoing a strong and steady job expansion, the local workforce investment board said. From September 2012 through February 2020, 22,400 jobs were added and then COVID-19 started spreading in Oregon.

Nearly 25,000 jobs were cut between February and April. Unemployment went from a record low of 3.5% to a record high of 16%. By August, Lane County had recovered 65% of the jobs lost.

Lane Workforce is now focused on a 10-year plan for job growth. It projects Lane County will add 14,000 jobs. That’s an 8% increase and just slightly below the statewide average of 9%.

Health care and social assistance is expected to lead at 19%, and construction is projected to have a 12% increase. Manufacturing is expected to grow 6%. Trade, transportation and utilities were on the list at 5%.

Breaking down the outlook for construction jobs, over the next 10 years, 1,001 new jobs are expected to be added. There are also 9,200 replacement openings expected. And a heavy percentage of construction jobs only require a high school degree or equivalent or less.