Unemployment rate drop

St. Joseph County’s unemployment rate experienced a 1.7 percent drop from July to August.

According to the monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget, St. Joseph County’s August unemployment was 8 percent, down from 9.7 percent in July.

The August figure is lower than Michigan’s statewide August unemployment rate of 9.2 percent and the county’s 10.2 unemployment rate in August 2011.

Agency officials said the drop in unemployment stems from the withdrawal of youth and seasonal workers from the labor force. In addition, St. Joseph County’s figure was aided by a seasonal increase in temporary jobs in the agriculture sector, according to the agency.