County unemployment rate increased

The July unemployment rate in St. Joseph County increased by eight-tenths of a percent compared to a month earlier.

The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed St. Joseph County’s 6.9 percent July unemployment rate was more than June’s 6.1 percent.

Its July unemployment rate, however, was 2.8 percent less than the same month one year earlier, when the figure was 9.7 percent.

St. Joseph County remained below the state unemployment average, which was 8.6 percent for the month.

The agency said seasonal job losses related to the field of education contributed to the region’s one-month unemployment hike.

At 6.3 percent, Barry County had the region’s lowest unemployment rate in July, while Hillsdale County had the highest, with 8.9 percent.