LANSING, MI (WHTC-AM/FM) – Joblessness increased slightly along the Lakeshore last month.
In numbers released on Thursday by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget, unemployment in Ottawa County stood at 3.8 percent for February. That’s a tenth of a percentage point above January’s mark, and four tenths higher than a year ago. The county slipped to third overall among Michigan’s 83 counties, behind Oakland and Washtenaw, who shared the top spot with 3.6 percent.
As for Allegan County, its February jobless rate of 4.8 percent is also a tenth higher than the previous month, and two tenths more than a year ago. The county fell into a tie for 13th overall in the state after placing 10th in February.
Across Michigan, seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates “recorded mostly minor changes” in February among the 17 major labor market areas, according to Jason Palmer, director of the state’s Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives. However, total employment and workforce levels rose in all areas last month, and jobless rates remained relatively stable over a 12-month period.
