Michigan unemployment rate rises to 4.8 percent

LANSING (AP) — Michigan’s unemployment rate edged upward to 4.8 percent in February.

Figures released last week by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget show Michigan’s jobless rate last month rose from 4.7 percent in January. It was seven-tenths of a percentage point above the national rate of 4.1 percent in February and unchanged from the state’s February 2017 rate of 4.8 percent.

The agency says total employment was essentially unchanged over the month while the number of unemployed increased by 1,000.

The February jobless rate increase was Michigan’s first since a minor uptick recorded in September.

Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives Director Jason Palmer says the number of jobs statewide increasing by 16,000 over the first two months of the year.