WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
December’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County was unchanged compared to the figure from the previous month.
The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed the county’s unemployment rate for December was 3.9 percent again.
St. Joseph County was below the state unemployment average, which was 4 percent for the month.
The agency said December marked the beginning of the winter break for the education sector, which translated into temporary layoffs of support staff in local schools. Furthermore, seasonal job cuts continued to be recorded in the construction field, and in leisure and hospitality.
Allegan County featured the lowest unemployment rate in the region in December, at 3.3 percent.
Meanwhile, Van Buren County had the region’s highest, at 5.1 percent.
Cass County’s unemployment rate for the month was 4.3 percent.
