Unemployment rate down in county

November’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County was six-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 3.6 percent November unemployment rate marked a decrease from October’s 4.2 percent.

St. Joseph County was below the state unemployment average, which was 4 percent in November.

The agency said St. Joseph Country’s numbers remained strong despite the leisure and hospitality services sector suffering cuts. That was offset, however, by hiring in retail trade.

Allegan County featured the lowest unemployment rate in the region in November, at 3.3 percent.

Meanwhile, Van Buren County had the region’s highest, at 4.8 percent.

Cass County’s unemployment rate for November was 4.3 percent, an increase of one-tenth of a percent from the previous month.