SCENARIO
Between 2016 and 2021, employment dropped by 3,000, and is projected to drop another 1,200 by the end of 2023. This is primarily the result of workers aged 55-59 retiring early and newly graduated students moving to other areas to pursue college or a career. This reduction in the labor force is especially difficult for local businesses that have lost employees, often with decades of experience, in industries where it has proven difficult to attract younger workers. Also, access to hiring migrant workers continues to be constrained. Jobs in agriculture remain unfilled for longer and longer periods, resulting in loss of crops due to not being harvested or to fields that were not planted. The labor shortage continues to impact tourism and seafood industries, and even generous hiring bonuses and higher wages fail to attract enough workers to fill vacancies. 

 

New entrepreneur programs have had some success. According to an August 2023 survey conducted by a statewide entrepreneurial organization, more than three quarters of the recipients of grants for additional training are planning to stay in the area.