Mich. Jobless Rate Drops To 10.6% As Jobs Rise
LANSING (AP) - Michigan says the state jobless rate dropped half a percentage point to 10.6 percent in October, moving below 11 percent for the first time since July.
The Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget on Wednesday released the seasonally adjusted rate, which was a full percentage point below the October 2010 rate. The state's jobless rate continues to exceed the national rate of 9 percent.
It says employment rose by 8,000, but the work force had a net decline of 17,000. It's the seventh consecutive monthly drop dating back to April. Since March, the state's work force has fallen by 70,000, or 1.5 percent.
October marks the third consecutive decline in government jobs and the second consecutive decline in construction jobs.
The state says manufacturing jobs rose 4,000 in October.
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