July Jobless Rates Up Across the State But Mostly Steady LocallyJuly Jobless Rates Up Across the State But Mostly Steady Locally

8/22/14 - Livingston County’s unemployment rate held mostly steady from June to July while rates across regional labor markets went up seasonally. The state Department of Technology, Management & Budget recently released the local and regional jobless figures for July, which were said to be a reflection of normal seasonal changes in the job market. The state's rate reached 8.6% in July and unemployment rates increased in all of the state’s 17 major labor market regions. Livingston County’s unemployment rate in July inched down slightly by one-tenth of a percentage point to 7.7%. Its overall ranking though improved to 23rd among Michigan’s 83 counties. The state department says the unemployment rate upticks in local areas were typical for July. Temporary layoffs occurred in several industry sectors including professional and business services and auto-related manufacturing. (JM)