• Nonfarm jobs in Sevier County grew by 2.5 percent between the December 2014 and December 2015, an addition of more than 200 jobs.
• Most industries joined in the job growth phenomenon with the largest gains occurring in healthcare/social services and leisure/hospitality services.
• In contrast, both trade and local government lost a notable number of positions.
• Sevier County’s jobless rate has changed little over the past two years.
• In March 2016, the county’s unemployment rate measured 4.3 percent, nestled between the national (5.0 percent) and the statewide (3.5 percent) figures.
• The area’s relatively stable jobless rate suggests the labor market is expanding sufficiently to absorb new labor force entrants.
• In the first few months of the year, first-time claims for unemployment insurance followed a traditional seasonal pattern with no signs of unusual stress.
• So far this year, construction, retail trade and professional/business services (all with temporary or seasonal components) have generated the most claims activity.
• As in most Utah counties, Sevier County’s average monthly nonfarm wage continues to trend upward. Between the fourth quarters of 2014 and 2015 the average wage increased by nearly 5 percent.
• Construction permitting increased nicely in 2015 showing a 14 percent uptick.
• Both new residential and nonresidential permitting improved.
• Gross taxable sales experienced a year-to-year loss of 15 percent in the fourth quarter of 2015.
• The change resulted primarily from a decline in manufacturing business investment expenditures rather than in traditional sales.
• Motor vehicle dealers, building supplies/gardening stores, general merchandise stores, and food services showed particularly strong gains.
