Builders that look to engineering firms to predict the construction market can find some reassurance that the pipeline for commercial building in Oregon is full - though not overflowing.

Oregon's engineering services sector has stayed strong despite weakening state and national economies, economists and engineering firms say. Many firms remain cautious, however, that the ripple-effects of the slowdown will eventually reach them as well.

Architecture and engineering employment in Oregon has risen "rather handily" since 2004, Art Ayre, an economist with the Oregon Employment Department, said. The sector gained 900 jobs since February of last year, bringing total employment to 15,500, a 6.2 percent increase.

"That's a large percentage change," Ayre said. "My guess is what's going on there is the increases in this industry are probably related to the commercial and industrial side of construction, much more so than residential." [Read full article]

By Libby Tucker,

DJC Oregon - March 24, 2008