Local unemployment shows a decrease

February’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County was two-tenths of a percent lower than the previous month.

The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed the county’s 4.1 percent February unemployment rate marked a decrease from January’s 4.3 percent.

St. Joseph County was below the state unemployment average, which was 5.2 percent in February.

The agency said an increase in seasonal work coupled with a steady unemployment rate contributed to the local monthly decrease.

St. Joseph County featured the lowest unemployment rate in the region and sixth lowest in the state for the month.

Meanwhile, Van Buren County had the region’s highest, at 7.6 percent.

Cass County’s unemployment rate for February was 5.5 percent.