MI regional jobless rates drop in April

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - The state says seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates in all regions of Michigan dropped in April as seasonal hiring picked up.

The figures released Thursday by the Department of Technology, Management and Budget show jobless rates down in all 17 major regional labor markets compared to March. Total employment levels increased moderately in most regions, and labor force levels declined in all areas.

Statewide, the unadjusted jobless rate in April was 10.1 percent, down from 11 percent in March.

Rates ranged from a low of 6.2 percent in the Ann Arbor region to a high of 13.2 in the northeastern Lower Peninsula. The northeast and northwest Lower Michigan regions saw the largest decreases.

Statewide, job gains were reported in leisure and hospitality services, construction and professional and business services.

Michigan's major labor market areas, their seasonally unadjusted jobless rates for April and changes since March:

-- Ann Arbor, 6.2 percent, compared with 7 percent
-- Battle Creek, 8.6 percent, compared with 9.4 percent
-- Bay City, 9.6 percent, compared with 10.8 percent
-- Detroit-Warren-Livonia, 11.1 percent, compared with 11.8 percent
-- Flint, 10.8 percent, compared with 11.8 percent
-- Grand Rapids-Wyoming, 8.1 percent, compared with 9.1 percent
-- Holland-Grand Haven, 8.1 percent, compared with 9.3 percent
-- Jackson, 9.7 percent, compared with 10.9 percent
-- Kalamazoo-Portage, 8.3 percent, compared with 9.5 percent
-- Lansing-East Lansing, 7.6 percent, compared with 8.6 percent
-- Monroe, 9.5 percent, compared with 10.9 percent
-- Muskegon-Norton Shores, 10.1 percent, compared with 11.2 percent
-- Niles-Benton Harbor, 9.7 percent, compared with 11 percent
-- Saginaw-Saginaw Township North, 9.4 percent, compared with 10.6 percent
-- Upper Peninsula, 10.6 percent, compared with 11.8 percent
-- Northeast Lower Michigan, 13.2 percent, compared with 15.2 percent
-- Northwest Lower Michigan, 11.9 percent, compared with 13.4 percent

Source: Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget