The latest numbers show Deschutes County's unemployment rate just over 9 percent and Jefferson County's just over 10 percent.

Crook County is about 11 and a half percent.

Regional Economist Damon Runberg says 2013 has been a better year employment-wise for the area.

"Over the year, employment has grown by nearly 2-thousand jobs -- actually 1920 jobs.  And more importantly, 97 percent of al  the job gains in the last year come from the private sector.  A lot of people are concerned those jobs are coming from government spending.  The answer is no.  This economy is chugging along and doing pretty well."

Last month, Deschutes County had its largest retail gains in more than ten years.  440 jobs were added from the retail sector in November.