Michigan Unemployment Continues Decline
DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - Michigan's jobless picture keeps getting brighter.
The state's unemployment rate in January fell to its lowest point in more than two years. The seasonally adjusted rate for the month was ten point seven per cent, down from a revised 11.1 percent rate in December. The national unemployment rate for January was 9 percent. The January rate for Michigan is three full percentage points below its January 2010 level.
State officials said that unemployment decreased by 21,000 as total employment rose by 16,000. The department described the state's labor force as little changed in January, edging down by 5,000.
WWJ and Fox 2 Business Editor Murray Feldman said that many of the new jobs are in factories and manufacturing, especially in the areas of IT and engineering. One area that didn't see growth was the retail industry, which cuts jobs after the holiday sales rush.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
