ECONOMIC CLUSTER

From 2010 to 2019, most industries experienced minimal changes in annual growth. In 2019, 54 percent of the region’s employment clusters were less than or equal to the national average. The region did increase its job opportunities in its transportation manufacturing and wood product manufacturing. Unfortunately, there was a loss of jobs in the mining industry and other miscellaneous manufacturing industries.

From 2020 to 2021, most industries experienced either growth or decline, as either recovery or deterioration from the COVID-19 pandemic. The percentage of the region’s employment clusters less than or equal to the national average remained the same throughout the pandemic. The region was able to retain its wood product manufacturing and other miscellaneous manufacturing industries but saw job loss in both industries during this time. Despite this, generally, the economic and industrial clusters remained stagnant during the pandemic but saw significant shifts in job opportunities or loss compared to Figure A.23.