May unemployment down

May’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County was one-tenth 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 3.2 percent May unemployment rate marked a decrease from April’s 3.3 percent.

St. Joseph County was below the state unemployment average, which was 3.8 percent in May.

The agency said seasonal job additions in leisure, hospitality, construction and retail all contributed to the unemployment decrease.

Allegan County featured the lowest unemployment rate in the region in May, at 3.1 percent.

Meanwhile, Van Buren County had the region’s highest, at 4.6 percent.

Cass County’s unemployment rate for the month was 3.8 percent.