Unemployment Increases in U.P.

Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates declined in most of Michigan in November, but the rates did increase in three regions. The U.P. was one of those three. Among the counties with a double-digit rate were Keweenaw, Baraga and Ontonagon. Houghton County’s unemployment rate was a little less than 8%. That news comes from the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget. The unemployment rate for the U.P. as a whole in November was 9%. That was up by four-tenths of a point from October and by more than a full percentage point from a year earlier. Spokesman Michael Williams says November fluctuations were seasonal in the northern areas with job cuts in tourism-related industries and construction somewhat offset by gains in retail trade. Michigan’s unemployment rate declined over those same periods of time.