Unemployment increased

The June unemployment rate in St. Joseph County increased by seven-tenths of a percent compared to a month earlier.

The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed St. Joseph County’s 8.4 percent June unemployment rate was more than May’s 7.7 percent.

June’s unemployment rate, however, was four-tenths of a percent less than the same month one year earlier, when the figure was 8.8 percent.

St. Joseph County remained below the state unemployment average, which was 9.4 percent in June.

The agency said more people seeking employment, especially high school graduates, contributed to the region’s one-month unemployment hike.

At 6.2 percent, Barry County had the region’s lowest unemployment rate in June, while Hillsdale County had the highest, with 10.2 percent.