• Between June of 2013 and June 2014, Sanpete County added nearly 140 net, new jobs for a growth rate of roughly 2 percent.
• The largest employment gains originated in the public sector. Additions in state and local government totaled almost 120 positions.
• In the private sector, professional/business services took the lead. This industry includes temporary employment services and growth here is often a precursor to more permanent expansion in other industries. Manufacturing also added a notable number of new jobs.
• Unfortunately, many of the county’s industries continued to contract. In particular, employment dropped significantly in mining, construction and transportation/warehousing.
• As in most Utah counties, Sanpete County joblessness continued to trend downward. Over the past 12 months, the unemployment rate has dropped more than a full percentage point to measure 4.5 percent in August 2014.
• Sanpete County’s unemployment rate hasn’t registered this low since late 2008.
• Gross taxable sales certainly turned in a robust report. Between the second quarters of 2013 and 2014, sales increased by more than 7 percent. This improvement follows on the heels of the slow-to-no growth of 2013.
• Business expenditures in utilities and manufacturing coupled with gains in motor vehicle, gasoline, food and general merchandise store sales helped produce this quarter’s banner figures.
• Initial claims for unemployment insurance continue exhibit a downward trend with most claims accruing from industries with a seasonal or temporary element.
