Reports show more people are working in Northern Michigan, seasonal jobs up
NORTHERN MICHIGAN -- The Labor Department reported earlier Friday that the jobless rate inched down a bit, to 9.1 percent in July. The report shows employers have added 117,000 jobs to the economy in July, reducing the number of unemployed a tenth of a percent.
In line with the national trend, there are fewer people unemployed in Northern Michigan, but it is likely that this good news won't be permanent.
"I’ve been unemployed for about a year now, and just recently, I had an interview which seemed to go well and I should know Tuesday or Wednesday if I have the job or not," says Tyjuana Fowler.
Fowler says it's been tough trying to find a job to support herself and her two-year-old child. But she's optimistic, and excited, about a full-time custodial position she recently applied for.
“Money is pretty tight, so I’m pretty happy," says Fowler.
And Michigan Works says it is seeing positive signs from area companies.
“Northern Michigan has seen some, we had two people in our office yesterday looking for employees," said Michigan Works Area Director Kathy Bradley.
Bradley says this summer, she has seen a small increase in permanent work, but many of the jobs are still just seasonal. But right now, the positive thing is this year's unemployment numbers are on a downward trend.
In June 2011, counties in Northeast Michigan (Alcona, Alpena, Cheboygan, Crawford, Iosco, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon Counties) saw an unemployment rate of 11.7 percent, down from 13.5 percent a year ago.
Northwest Michigan counties (Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee, and Wexford Counties) reported 10.6 percent of people jobless in June, down from 12.3 percent in 2010.
The Northwest Michigan Council of Governments reports an increase of seasonal jobs and some permanent industry work have helped decrease the numbers, but they’ve also seen a portion of the workforce pack up and leave.
“We need more manufacturing, both permanent and temporary, because it's good for all business, retail, we could always use retail, restaurants, a mix," said Bradley.
Bradley says once October and November hit, seasonal jobs will end, and the unemployment numbers we have now will most likely increase. Last year, winter unemployment spiked at 16-percent.
As of right now, Northern Michigan unemployment is right in line with the state's unemployment rate of 10.5 percent.
That's about 1.5 percent behind the national average numbers released today.
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