COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Branch County’s unemployment rate in August dropped to 4.4 percent following a spike in July.
The State of Michigan reported Branch County’s labor force shrunk by 225 workers from July to August. 125 more members of the work force were able to find employment when compared to the July figures while 150 less labor force members were unemployed.
As for neighboring counties, Calhoun County was also at 4.4 percent, St. Joseph County was at 3.7 percent and Hillsdale County was at 4.9 percent which matched the statewide rate.
Analyst Doctor Leonidas Murembya says schools started recalling some support staff to prepare for the new academic year in August. In addition, hiring in business services picked up during the month, resulting in a slight decline of unemployment rates throughout Southern Lower Michigan.
He also pointed out that despite low area jobless rates, the region still has a way to go to rebound to the workforce size that existed prior to the economic downturn.
