MI Unemployment Rises in August

Seasonally-adjusted unemployment rates are rising in Michigan.

Unemployment statewide rose to 9.4% in August.

That’s up four–tenths of a point from 9% even in July.

However, the picture is more positive than it had been a year earlier.

Michigan’s unemployment rate was a full point higher in August 2011, at 10.4%.

The Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget says the August numbers reflect 7,000 fewer payroll jobs than there had been in July.

The agency says manufacturing was the big loser, with a loss of 8,000 jobs during the month.

The department says Michigan’s jobs market is largely stuck in place, having shown little change since the end of last year.