The Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget says jobless rates during June were up six- to eight-tenths of a percentage point in southwest Michigan.
Employment in St. Joseph County rose by 275 people from May, but is down by 200 compared to June 2018. There were 27,575 with jobs in June, but with the labor force increasing by 425, the unemployment rate went from 3.7% a year ago to 4.2% in May and was at 4.5% in June.
Statewide, Michigan showed a 4.4% unemployment rate for June, up from 3.9% in May and 4.3% over June 2018. With 5 million in the labor force the number looking for work increased by 53,000 since May and 45,000 over last year. Statewide 4.8 million have jobs.