MI Unemployment Drops Slightly

Michigan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in July edged down.

It dropped by one–tenth of a percentage point to 13.1%, according to the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth.

The national unemployment rate also dipped slightly to 9.5%.

The state’s labor force dropped by 18,000 in July.

Manufacturing was stable and layoffs slowed in the automotive industry.

Seasonally adjusted Michigan payroll jobs increased in July by 28,000 to 3,876,000, according to the report.

Manufacturing jobs rose sharply by 20,000 over the month, mostly reflecting fewer seasonal retooling layoffs in the auto industry.

Government jobs increased by 5,000, and jobs within the trade, transportation and utilities sector increased by 4,000.