WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates increased in all of Michigan’s 17 major labor market areas in June, according to the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget.
Total employment and labor force levels rose in most regions in June.
“Workforce and employment levels in most Michigan regions expanded in June as summer and seasonal hiring continued,” said Rick Waclawek, director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information & Strategic Initiatives. “With the influx of job seekers, unemployment rates increased moderately over the month. However, jobless rates remained well below 2011 levels throughout the state.”
In June, 15 of Michigan’s 17 major labor market areas recorded rates below 10.0 percent, and six regions displayed jobless rates under 8.0 percent.
In Southwest Michigan, high school students and seasonal workers joined college students looking for summer jobs in June, leading to seasonal gains in the number of employed and the number of unemployed in the area. At the same time, support staff in the education sector were laid off for the summer. These typical seasonal developments led to increased jobless rates in all twelve Southwest Michigan counties in June, with rate gains averaging 0.7 percentage points.
In Branch County, the June unemployment rate was 8.5 percent compared to 8 percent in May and 10.5 in June 2011.
In Cass County, the jobless rate in June was 7.8 percent, up from 6.7 in May, but less than the 8.5 percent rate recorded in June 2011.
In St. Joseph County, the June unemployment rate was 8.7 percent, an increase from 8.1 in May, but considerably less than the rate of 10.5 in June 2011.
