Signs of hope for the Oregon economy. The State Employment Department says although the unemployment rate is up to 10.6%, the number of jobs has grown substantially. November was another month of strong jobs gains for Oregon.  The economy added 6300 jobs; 5900 of which were in the private in the private sector. Employment Economist Nick Beleiciks says the unemployment rate is slightly higher because more people are starting to look for jobs; and that's a sign of a recovering economy.