Increase in unemployment rate

May’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County increased by seven-tenths of a percent from April.

The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget was released last week and it showed St. Joseph County’s unemployment rate climbed from 3.4 percent in April to 4.1 percent in May.

The rate was 6 percent 12 months earlier.

Meanwhile, Cass County experienced an increase in its unemployment figures from April to May. Its April rate was 3.7 percent and rose to 4 percent a month later.

Also, Branch County’s one-month unemployment rate rose in May from the previous month. It was 3.6 percent in April and rose to 4 percent in May.

Michigan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for May was 4.3 percent, the same rate it was in April.