The State Department of Commerce launched a data tool for local and regional leaders that is designed to help monitor COVID-19 recovery efforts across Washington.
Through the CARES Act, the ‘Economic Recovery Dashboard‘ provides data on industry, employment, consumer behavior and government assistance programs.
Tracking this data should help leaders chart a well-informed path to economic recovery from the pandemic.
“The economic impact of COVID-19 on individuals, families and businesses is like nothing we’ve ever seen before,” said,
Lisa Brown, Commerce Director.
“The depth and complexity of the challenge we’re dealing with demands that we use data in new ways to help every family, every community and every industry get back on their feet, stronger and more resilient than before,” she said.
The data will track what areas of the economy have recovered and which ones would still need new policies introduced. With this new service comes interesting metrics:
Washington’s unemployment rate has inclined so drastically that it is 30% greater than the lowest point of the Great Depression, even with there being steady job growth since May.
Construction has regained 80% of lost jobs as of June, yet hospitality has only recovered 33%.
Additionally, 100,000 people statewide have signed up for food or temporary assistance since February—the majority of whom are central Washington, Spokane and Tri-Cities residents.
