August unemployment down

August’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County was seven-tenths of a percent lower than the previous month.

The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed the county’s 4.4 percent August unemployment rate marked a decrease from July’s 5.1 percent.

St. Joseph County was below the state unemployment average, which was 4.6 percent in August.

The agency said employment gains in the education sector offset decreases in leisure and hospitality, as well as seasonal employees.

Allegan County featured the lowest unemployment rate in the region in August, at 3.6 percent. Meanwhile, Van Buren County had the region’s highest, at 4.9 percent.

Cass County’s unemployment rate for the month was 4.5 percent.