WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
July’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County was two and one-tenth of a percent higher than the previous month.
The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed the county’s 6.6 percent July unemployment rate marked an increase from June’s 4.5 percent.
St. Joseph County was well above the state unemployment average, which was 5.1 percent in July.
The agency said a factor contributing to the increase was summer layoffs of support staff in education, resulting in job cuts and a rise in unemployment rates across Southwest Michigan.
Allegan County featured the lowest unemployment rate in the region in July, at 3.9 percent. St. Joseph County’s was the highest in the region for the month.
Cass County’s unemployment rate for July was 5.5 percent.
