Unemployment rises

Unemployment in St. Joseph County rose two-tenths of a percent in May compared to April.

Figures from the Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives show the county’s May unemployment figure was 5.7 percent, up from 5.5 percent in April. The 5.7 percent rate was still lower than the county’s 7.5 percent unemployment compared to the same month in 2013.

The county had a lower unemployment rate in May against the state average, which

was 7.3 percent for the month.

Agency officials said despite the county’s unemployment increase from April to May¸ seasonal hiring in construction, retail, and leisure and hospitality remained strong over the 31-day period

Hillsdale County had the highest May unemployment rate in the region, with 7.7 percent, while Barry County’s 5.3 percent was the month’s lowest in the 13-market region.