County unemployment increased

July’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County increased by six-tenths of a percent from June.

The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget was released recently. It showed St. Joseph County’s unemployment rate rose from 4.7 percent in June to 5.3 percent in July.

The rate was 6.1 percent 12 months earlier.

Meanwhile, Cass County experienced a drop in its unemployment figures from June to July. Its June rate was 4.8 percent and lowered to 4.5 percent a month later.

Branch County’s one-month unemployment rate remained unchanged in July from the previous month. Its rate held steady at 4.5 percent.

Michigan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for July was 4.2 percent, down from 4.8 percent in June.