Beaver State News

SALEM, Ore., April 3, 2025—Small businesses continue to face challenges in filling job vacancies according to the latest Job Report by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). The report, released today, indicates that 40% of small business owners reported difficulties in finding suitable employees in March, marking a slight increase from February.

Anthony Smith, the state director for NFIB in Oregon, commented on the situation, stating, “We’re certainly doing ourselves no favors here in Oregon on the jobs front.” He mentioned that a recent court decision has put on hold Governor Tina Kotek’s executive order mandating project labor agreements on state construction projects. Smith noted this ruling as positive but expressed concerns over the Oregon Legislature’s moves that could increase costs and risks for businesses. These include extending unemployment benefits to striking workers (SB 916) and holding property owners and contractors responsible for unlawful actions by others (SB 426). “We really need to send better messages than these if we want to stabilize the hiring picture,” Smith added.

NFIB’s Job Report, a national survey of its member small-business owners, provides monthly insights into the employment landscape. The NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg noted, "With qualified workers in short supply, job openings stayed solid on Main Street in March. As spring progresses, fewer small business owners plan to create new positions, but they are looking to fill current vacancies."

Key highlights from the report show job openings being most prevalent in the construction, transportation, and manufacturing sectors, with the transportation sector experiencing a notable 23-point increase from February to March. Despite challenges in hiring, there was an uptick in the number of businesses raising compensation, with a net 38% of small business owners reporting increases in March.

For more news and updates on Oregon’s small-business climate, visit NFIB's website at www.nfib.com or follow their social media account.

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