COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – As usually is the case, Branch County’s unemployment rate in January 2017 went up according to figures released by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget.
Branch County’s jobless rate was 5.3 percent after being at 4.1 percent in December.
Total employment fell seasonally over the month in most parts of the state, while workforce levels increased in nearly all areas.
Branch County had a total labor force of 19,115 with 1,013 members of the labor force unemployed.
In neighboring counties, Hillsdale County’s unemployment rate was at 5.4 percent, Calhoun County was at 5.1 percent while St. Joseph County was at 4.3 percent.
There were only 18 other counties in Michigan that had a lower unemployment rate than Branch County.
Typical seasonal job cuts over the month were registered in trade, transportation and utilities, government, construction, education and health services, professional and business services as well as and leisure and hospitality services.
Retail trade jobs fell by 17,000 in January as merchants cut seasonal jobs with the end of the holiday shopping period.
