County's jobless rate rises

Ottawa County's jobless rate jumped by more than half of percent from May to June. Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates rose in 15 of Michigan's 17 major labor market areas in June, according to the state's Department of Technology, Management & Budget. The Holland-Grand Haven metropolitan statistical area, which is Ottawa County, rose from 8.4 percent in May to 9 percent last month. It was 11.3 percent in June 2010.

Mark Brooky

Ottawa County

Jul 30, 2011

Rick Waclawek, director of the state’s Bureau of Labor Market Information & Strategic Initiatives, said last month’s rise in unemployment rates were primarily due to people entering the workforce seeking seasonal jobs.

“Payroll jobs jumped upward more than usual in June, reflecting large gains in leisure and hospitality services and construction,” Waclawek said. “Hiring in these two sectors had been curtailed somewhat in April and May, mostly due to poor weather conditions.”

More details on this story will be published in Saturday’s Tribune.