SOWIB is now accepting funding applications to support workforce development projects in the maritime and blue economy sectors across Coos, Curry, and Coastal Douglas counties. We’re looking to invest in innovative projects that strengthen skills, expand opportunities, and support the growth of our coastal workforce. Funding is available for projects taking place between now and June 20, 2027. If you have an idea that supports maritime careers and economic resilience in our r

Do You Work With or Need Traditional Health Workers? SOWIB is exploring future opportunities to continue supporting and strengthening the Traditional Health Worker (THW) workforce across Coos, Curry, and Douglas counties. As we begin planning for potential upcoming opportunities through the Oregon Health Authority, we’re looking to gather input from the communities, organizations, employers, and individuals connected to this work. This THW UTILIZATION SURVEY will help guide t

Hello Economic Indicators readers, Attached are this month’s South Coast indicators with February 2026 data. They’re also available at this link! South Coast Economy Total nonfarm employment increased by 40 jobs over the year in Coos County to 22,920. The leisure and hospitality sector experienced the greatest employment gains with 50 jobs. Professional and business services experienced the greatest employment losses with 90 jobs. Total nonfarm employment decreased by

The Southwestern Oregon Workforce Investment Board (SOWIB), serving Coos, Curry, and Douglas counties, is seeking public input on a proposed modification to its Four-Year Local Plan (2024–2028) for Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014. The draft plan modification will be available for review beginning April 24, 2026. The Local Plan outlines operational and compliance strategies for services delivered in an int

The April 2026 edition of the Douglas County Economic Indicators is attached below and available at this QualityInfo.org link. February’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.3% in Douglas County. That’s 0.7 percentage points higher than in February 2025, but the local rate has remained stable since last fall. Over the year to February, Douglas County employment was essentially unchanged, adding 50 jobs. For many months health care has been the fastest growing indu

Hello Economic Indicators readers, Attached are this month’s South Coast indicators with 2025 Job Vacancy survey data in place of Local Area Unemployment and Current Employment statistics. Oregon’s local monthly employment reports will resume in April after delays following last fall’s extended federal government shutdown. In the meantime, I’ll be highlighting other recent data releases from our programs. Find the updated schedule of future releases here: www.qualityinfo.or

The March 2026 edition of the Douglas County Indicators are attached for download, with highlights below. It’s a bit different this month. I don’t have new monthly data to highlight - Oregon’s local monthly employment reports will resume in April after delays following last fall’s federal government shutdown. This month I’ll use the space for a deep dive into our Job Vacancy Survey, which goes out to thousands of private businesses in Oregon each quarter. If you receive and

Southwestern Oregon Workforce Investment Board (SOWIB) is pleased to share that the U.S. Department of Labor has awarded $224,994 to Oregon to support workers affected by the closure of the Roseburg Forest Products facility in Dillard, Oregon . This funding, provided through a National Dislocated Worker Grant, will help workers access training, retraining, and employment services as they transition into new career opportunities in Douglas County. Through this effort, SOWIB a

The Southwestern Oregon Workforce Investment Board (SOWIB) has released its Program Year 2026 (PY26) Request for Proposals (RFP) for WIOA Title I services in Coos, Curry, and Douglas counties. SOWIB is seeking qualified partners to deliver integrated workforce services across Coos, Curry, and Douglas counties. This procurement includes: Adult & Dislocated Worker Service Provider Youth Service Provider WorkSource Center One-Stop Operator (OSO) All proposal materials, key dates

The February 2026 edition of the Douglas County Economic Indicators is also available at this QualityInfo.org link . Over the year to December, Douglas County employment was essentially flat, adding 80 jobs. Private education and health services added the most jobs (190, +3%), with professional and business services also adding jobs (100, +4%). Manufacturing and retail employment contracted over the year. Unemployment was 6.4% on a seasonally adjusted basis. That’s one per