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Michigan jobless rate drops to 17 year low

KANDYJAXX/CREATIVE COMMONS

Michigan’s unemployment rate fell a half percentage point in May.

Michigan’s jobless rate fell to its lowest level last month since December of 2000 to 4.2%.  

“These numbers should encourage all Michiganders to continue to work hard and keep our foot on the gas,” Gov. Rick Snyder said in a written statement. “We are moving forward on a great path toward our future.  The state's continued commitment to workforce development along with the lowest unemployment rate our state has seen in nearly 17 years proves that.”

But the size of Michigan’s workforce remains far below that of the year 2000. 

The number of unemployed Michiganders fell by 24,000, propelled largely by 21,000 fewer people in the state’s workforce.   Total employment inched up by 3,000. 

Michigan’s jobless rate is now slightly below the national unemployment rate.

Copyright 2017 Michigan Radio

Steve Carmody has been a reporter for Michigan Radio since 2005. Steve previously worked at public radio and television stations in Florida, Oklahoma and Kentucky, and also has extensive experience in commercial broadcasting. During his two and a half decades in broadcasting, Steve has won numerous awards, including accolades from the Associated Press and Radio and Television News Directors Association. Away from the broadcast booth, Steve is an avid reader and movie fanatic. Q&A