County unemployment down in August

The August unemployment rate in St. Joseph County decreased by 1.8 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 3.8 percent August unemployment rate was less than July’s 5.6 percent.
August’s unemployment rate was also 1.8 percent less than the same month one year earlier, when the figure was 5.6 percent, as well.
St. Joseph County remained below the state unemployment average, which was 5.2 percent last month.
The agency said fewer people seeking seasonal jobs and support staff at area school districts being recalled contributed to the region’s unemployment decline for the month.
At 3.5 percent, Allegan County had the region’s lowest unemployment rate last month, while Van Buren County had the highest, at 5 percent.