Discouraging forecast

Chapman University economists now expect OC to lose 18,000 jobs this year instead of its earlier forecast of a 1,000-job gain. It's not a huge surprise: The L.A.-Long Beach-Santa Ana metro area lost 111,200 jobs between April 2009 and April 2010, the largest over-the-year drop in the nation. There's been some recent improvement, but not nearly enough to offset those losses. From the OC Register:

California employment officials originally estimated the county lost 64,800 last year -- the basis for Chapman's December forecast. In a revision released earlier this year, the state said the county actually lost 110,200 jobs in 2009. Other forecasters have also modified their outlook based on the revision, although not as much as Chapman.

Next year, Chapman says the county employers will add nearly 21,000 jobs. Education and health services will see the most rapid growth. Here's the forecast.