LANSING, MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Aug. 22, 2024) – Unemployment rose along the Lakeshore and across the state in July.
In numbers disclosed on Thursday by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget, the not seasonally adjusted jobless rate in Ottawa County stood at 4.1 percent, fourth lowest among the state’s 83 counties, while Allegan County was at 4.3 percent. These rates are three tenths of a percentage point and four tenths, respectively, higher from June’s levels, and are a full half of a percentage point more than what was recorded a year ago.
The Lakeshore’s unemployment trends reflect those of the region and of Michigan, which didn’t come as a surprise to state officials, who said in a statement that these increases “were typical for the month of July.” The state’s overall rate stood at 5.8 percent for the month, eight tenths higher than in June, and a one and a half percent more than a year ago.
Dr. Brian Long, Director of Supply Management Research with the Seidman College of Business at Grand Valley State University, says that the days of more jobs than workers available that were a part of the COVID 19 world of four years ago are long gone.
Unemployment in the Grand Rapids market, which includes Ottawa County, stood at 4.4 percent in July. Allegan County is in no major market statistical area.
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