November Jobless Rates Fell Seasonally in Regional Labor Markets

Bureau of Labor Market Information & Strategic Initiatives/Southwest Michigan 209 E. Washington Ave, Suite 100 MI 49201 MICHIGAN DEPT. OF TECHNOLOGY, MANAGEMENT & BUDGET/LABOR MARKET ANALYSIS - SOUTH CENTRAL AND WESTERN MICHIGAN CIVILIAN LABOR FORCE ESTIMATES By Place of Residence/Seasonally Unadjusted., ** CIVILIAN LABOR FORCE EMPLOYMENT UNEMPLOYMENT RATES Areas Nov. Oct Avge Chge+ Nov. Oct Avge Chge+ Nov 13 Oct 13 Av.+ 12 Battle Creek MSA 64,000 63,900 64,100 100 400 59,800 59,400 59,500 400 600 6.5 7.2 7.4 MSA 70,500 70,300 70,700 200 200 64,800 64,300 64,600 500 200 8.0 8.6 8.6 MSA 162,300 162,300 161,700 0 900 151,500 150,500 149,800 1,000 1200 6.7 7.3 7.6 Co. 126,375 126,800 125,900-425 900 118,475 117,675 117,125 800 925 6.3 7.2 7.0 Van Buren Co. 35,925 35,475 35,800 450 0 33,025 32,800 32,650 225 250 7.5 9.5 Niles-BH MSA 71,500 72,000 72,100-500 -400 65,700 65,800 65,700-100 -300 8.6 9.0 Allegan Co. 53,675 54,325 54,175-650 925 50,300 50,650 50,400-350 1050 6.3 6.8 7.3 Barry Co. 29,750 29,700 29,650 50 750 28,225 28,050 27,925 175 850 5.2 5.6 6.3 Branch Co. 18,525 18,600 18,900-75 -250 17,000 17,025 17,250-25 -275 8.5 8.5 Cass Co. 25,200 24,825 25,075 375 75 23,150 22,950 23,175 200 50 7.6 7.5 Hillsdale Co. 19,050 19,325 19,275-275 50 17,425 17,500 17,450-75 50 8.6 9.4 9.5 Lenawee Co. 43,950 43,925 43,975 25-100 40,325 40,250 40,100 75-50 8.3 8.4 8.9 St. Joseph Co. 27,375 27,550 27,675-175 50 25,400 25,400 25,500 0 200 7.2 7.8 8.5 Michigan 4,683,000 4,711,000 4,700,000-28,000 4,0000 4,318,000 4,317,000 4,287,000 1,000 55,000 7.8 8.3 9.2 U.S.A.* 155,046 154,918 154,953+ 128 93+ 144,775 144,144 143,549+ 631 1,226+ 6.6 7.0 7.4+ * Expressed in thousands; ** All labor force and employment numbers are rounded to the nearest 25 for counties, 100 for MSAs, and 1,000 for the State and the Nation; + Represents over the year change for the first 11 months average for local counties and Michigan; numbers for the USA reflect levels. Jobless Rates Fell Seasonally in Regional Labor Markets Seasonal retail trade hiring during was partially offset by job cuts in construction, business services, and leisure and hospitality throughout the Southwest Michigan region. Unemployment rates dropped over the month in 10 of 12 local counties by an average of six-tenths of a percentage point. This was the result of a net withdrawal of seasonal workers from the workforce in half of the twelve regional counties (Allegan, Berrien, Branch, Hillsdale,, and St. Joseph), and job advances in the majority of local counties. Jobless rates inched up in two local counties (Cass and Van Buren) where available jobs were not enough to absorb all additional jobseekers. Labor Force s Mixed in but Mostly Up Over the Year for the First Eleven Months In, the civilian labor force (employed individuals plus those looking for jobs) edged down in half of the twelve regional counties, while inching up in the other half (Barry, Calhoun, Cass,, Lenawee, and Van Buren). Workforce cuts ranged from - 75 in Branch to -650 in Allegan County. The gains in the labor force extended from +25 in Lenawee to +450 in Van Buren County. Eleven-month averages indicate a general labor force advance in most regional labor markets; the exceptions were Berrien, Branch, and Lenawee. Van Buren s workforce remained flat year to year, over this period. Percent Employment in Southwest Michigan Counties -2 0 2 4 Nation Michigan St. Joseph Lenawee Hillsdale Cass Branch Barry Allegan Berrien Van Buren Calhoun Employment Mostly Up Over the Month and Over the Year for the First Eleven Months Household employment in rose in seven regional labor markets, ranging from +75 in Lenawee to +800 in County. Jobs also advanced in and Calhoun (+500 and +400, respectively). Employment cuts extended from -25 in Branch to -350 in Allegan. Jobs remained flat in St. Joseph County. Job gains mostly came from holiday season hiring in retail trade. Eleven-month averages show a relatively sizeable employment advancement over the year for most counties in the area, the exceptions being Berrien (- 300), Branch (-275), and Lenawee (-50). Over-the-year Over the year (11-month average) Over the month

Unemployment Rates Author: Dr. Leonidas Murembya, Regional Analyst job gains stretched from +50 in Cass and Hillsdale to +1,050 in Allegan County., Barry, and Calhoun counties also registered significant employment additions (+925, +850, and +600, respectively). Jobless Rates for Southwest Michigan Counties - Current Jobless Rates Inched Down in Ten Regional Labor Markets in Unemployment rates edged down in, ranging from -0.1 percentage points in Lenawee to -0.9 in County. Jobless rates were up in Cass and Van Buren counties (+0.5 and +0.6 percentage points, respectively). The reasons behind most unemployment rate reductions in were seasonal cuts in the labor force and holiday hiring in retail trade. Four regional counties (Barry, Allegan,, and Calhoun) recorded lower 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 jobless rates than the nation s unadjusted rate Rates of 6.6 percent. St. Joseph County s unemployment rate of 7.2 percent was below the statewiderate of 7.8 percent. The remaining seven local counties had jobless rates that were above the statewide rate in. Over the year, eleven-month averages show stable jobless rates in for all regional labor markets, with rates down slightly from levels in nine local counties. The eleven-month averages inched up by one tenth of a percentage point over the year in Branch, Hillsdale, and. s in Local Metro Area Unemployment Rates since 2004 Year s Areas Current unemployment rates were Benton above 2004 levels in the Benton Harbor 6.9 6.1 6.4 6.5 8.4 12.5 10.9 8.7 7.5 Harbor (+1.3 percentage points), Battle (+1.3), (+1.0), and Battle Creek (+0.3) Creek 6.4 6.1 6.3 6.1 7.8 10.9 9.6 7.2 6.0 6.5 metro areas. The Grand Rapids metro jobless rate inched down between 2004 and (-0.3 percentage points). Unemployment rates for local metro areas quickly soared during the recent national recession by an average of 3.7 percentage points but have dropped since then by an average of -3.0 percentage points. Gd. Rapids 6.1 6.7 5.6 5.3 6.3 5.1 5.4 6.8 5.0 5.5 6.9 5.2 7.5 8.9 7.0 10.8 13.2 10.5 9.0 10.9 9.3 6.7 8.2 7.2 5.5 7.2 6.2 5.6 8.0 6.7 Current rates for local metro areas remain above the pre-recessionary 2007 levels by an average of 1.1 percentage points. Comparing the Trend of Local MSAs August Unemployment Rates Since 2004 5.2 6.3 6.3 6.5 6.6 7.2 7.8 8.0 8.3 8.6 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14.0 12.0 10.0 8.0 6.0 4.0 2.0 0.0 Benton Harbor Battle Creek Gd. Rapids 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 Years Page 2

Author: Dr. Leonidas Murembya, Regional Analyst Nonfarm Payroll Jobs Recorded Small Seasonal s in All Regional Metro Areas Other Services Educational and Health Government Mining & Construction Sectors with Payroll Job ( - ) Battle Creek MSA 6.0% 4.0% -4.0% -6.0% -8.0% 5.0% 2.2% The Battle Creek MSA (Calhoun County) gained 100 seasonal jobs in retail trade in. Employment in private and public education also rose by 200 in late, which was recorded in. However, construction and leisure and hospitality each cut 100 positions also seasonally. Overall, Battle Creek jobs edged up by just 200 in to a total of 57,700. Over the year, employment in most sectors advanced or remained flat, the exception being financial activities where jobs edged down by 100. Manufacturing employment improved by 300, while the sectors of leisure and hospitality and professional and business services each added 100 jobs over the year. Total payroll jobs in Battle Creek were 500 above levels and 600 above 2008 values. However, current payroll jobs in Battle Creek were still below the prerecessionary 2007 levels (-1,200). Nonfarm payroll jobs in the MSA ( County) inched down by 200 in. A seasonal job gain of 200 in retail trade was more than offset by seasonal employment cuts in construction (-200) and leisure and hospitality (-100). Other private services (e.g., personal care, car repair, nonprofits, etc.) also edged down by 100 positions. s total nonfarm payroll jobs were estimated at 54,800 in. 1.0% 0.9% 0.3% Educational and Health Other Services Mining & Construction Over the year, employment in private education and health care services advanced by 500. Leisure and hospitality and retail trade each added 100 jobs. Employment in all other sectors was stable. Total nonfarm payroll employment in was 400 above levels but still 2,400 below 2008 values in. -2.2% -5.9% Sectors with Payroll Job ( - ) MSA -4.0% -6.0% -8.0% -1-1 1.0% 0.9% -0.4% -3.7% -10.5% Sectors with Payroll Job ( - ) MSA Government Mining & Construction 2.5% 1.5% 1.0% 0.5% -0.5% -1.0% -1.5% -2.5% 1.3% 0.4% -0.7% Nonfarm payroll jobs in the -Portage MSA ( and Van Buren counties) rose slightly by 600 in to a total of 141,600. State and local public schools returned to full staffing in, adding 300 positions. Private schools also recalled 100 support staff. Employment in retail trade rose by 400 for the holiday season as well. However, a 100-job cut each was recorded in construction and in leisure and hospitality. Over the year, employment in most sectors improved or remained flat, with the exception of leisure and hospitality (-300). Jobs in health care and social assistance advanced by 1,000 over the year in, and private education added 400 positions. Construction employment progressed by 900, and wholesale trade gained 300 more jobs over the year. Total payroll jobs in were 2,900 or +2.1 percent above levels in, but were 3,200 below the 2008 levels. Page 3

Educational and Health Professional and Busin Sectors with Payroll Job ( - ) Niles-Benton Harbor MSA 3.0% 1.0% -1.0% -3.0% -4.0% -5.0% -6.0% 2.2% 0.9% -0.5% -4.5% -4.7% Author: Dr. Leonidas Murembya, Regional Analyst Nonfarm payroll jobs in the Niles- Benton Harbor metro area (Berrien County) dipped slightly by 300 in to a total of 60,600. The sectors of leisure and hospitality and professional and business services each cut 300 positions in. Private education and healthcare services gained 200 jobs over the month and retail trade employment inched up 100. Over the year, employment in leisure and hospitality services expanded by 300, and retail trade gained 200 positions. However, private education and health services cut 400 jobs over the year in. Jobs in construction, information, manufacturing, and professional and business services were 100 each below last year s levels. Total payroll jobs in Benton Harbor were flat, inching down by 100 since, and were still below 2008 levels by a considerable amount (-3,400). Note: Data in this release is not seasonally adjusted. As a result, employment and unemployment trends in this release differ from previously released Michigan seasonally adjusted data. FOR MORE INFORMATION, please contact the Regional Analyst, Dr. Leonidas Murembya, in at 517/841-5634, or the Detroit Office of Labor Market Information at 313/456-3090, or visit our website at http://www.michigan.gov/lmi. Page 4

Author: Dr. Leonidas Murembya, Regional Analyst Southwest Michigan MSAs Payroll Employment - Battle Creek MSA % % 57,700 57,500 57,200 200 0.3% 500 0.9% Mining, Logging, and Construction 1,600 1,700 1,600-100 -5.9% 0 Manufacturing 11,600 11,600 11,300 0 300 2.7% Utilities 9,500 9,300 9,500 200 2.2% 0 Financial Activities 1,300 1,300 1,400 0-100 -7.1% Professional and Business 5,600 5,600 5,500 0 100 1.8% Educational and Health 10,600 10,500 10,600 100 1.0% 0 y 4,400 4,500 4,300-100 -2.2% 100 2.3% Other Services 2,100 2,000 2,100 100 5.0% 0 Government 10,800 10,700 10,800 100 0.9% 0 MSA % % 54,800 55,000 54,400-200 -0.4% 400 0.7% Mining, Logging, and Construction 1,700 1,900 1,700-200 -10.5% 0 Manufacturing 8,700 8,700 8,700 0 0 Utilities 11,800 11,700 11,800 100 0.9% 0 Information 300 300 300 0 0 Financial Activities 1,700 1,700 1,700 0 0 Professional and Business 4,000 4,000 4,100 0-100 -2.4% Educational and Health 10,500 10,400 10,000 100 1.0% 500 5.0% y 5,000 5,100 4,900-100 100 Other Services 2,600 2,700 2,700-100 -3.7% -100-3.7% Government 8,500 8,500 8,500 0 0 MSA % % 141,600 141,000 138,700 600 0.4% 2,900 2.1% Mining, Logging, and Construction 4,900 5,000 4,000-100 900 22.5% Manufacturing 19,100 19,100 18,900 0 200 1.1% Utilities 25,000 24,500 24,700 500 300 1.2% Information 900 900 900 0 0 Financial Activities 8,100 8,100 8,100 0 0 Professional and Business 16,000 16,000 15,800 0 200 1.3% Educational and Health 24,100 24,100 22,700 0 1,400 6.2% y 14,100 14,200 14,400-100 -0.7% -300-2.1% Other Services 5,900 5,900 5,800 0 100 1.7% Government 23,500 23,200 23,400 300 1.3% 100 0.4% Niles-Benton Harbor MSA % % 60,600 60,900 60,700-300 -0.5% -100-0.2% Mining, Logging, and Construction 1,600 1,600 1,700 0-100 -5.9% Manufacturing 11,900 11,900 12,000 0-100 -0.8% Utilities 10,900 10,800 10,600 100 0.9% 300 2.8% Information 500 500 600 0-100 -16.7% Financial Activities 2,300 2,300 2,300 0 0 Professional and Business 6,100 6,400 6,200-300 -4.7% -100-1.6% Educational and Health 9,400 9,200 9,800 200 2.2% -400-4.1% y 6,400 6,700 6,100-300 -4.5% 300 4.9% Other Services 2,500 2,500 2,400 0 100 4.2% Government 9,000 9,000 9,000 0 0 Page 5

Author: Dr. Leonidas Murembya, Regional Analyst Southwest Michigan Works! Agencies Local Area Employment Data January February March April May June July August September December Ann Avg Barry-Branch-Calhoun Labor force 109,850 111,225 111,875 111,625 114,625 116,125 114,700 112,900 112,150 112,250 112,225 112,675 Employment 101,625 103,150 104,250 104,450 106,575 107,150 105,225 104,800 104,650 104,425 105,050 104,675 Unemployed 8,225 8,075 7,600 7,200 8,050 8,950 9,450 8,100 7,525 7,825 7,175 8,025 Rate 7.5 7.3 6.8 6.4 7.0 7.7 8.2 7.2 6.7 7.0 6.4 7.1 Barry Labor force 28,800 29,075 29,150 29,225 30,075 30,475 30,200 29,975 29,650 29,700 29,750 29,650 Employment 26,925 27,250 27,450 27,650 28,400 28,575 28,250 28,225 28,075 28,050 28,225 27,925 Unemployed 1,875 1,825 1,700 1,575 1,675 1,900 1,950 1,750 1,575 1,650 1,525 1,725 Rate 6.5 6.3 5.8 5.4 5.6 6.2 6.5 5.8 5.3 5.6 5.2 5.8 Branch Labor force 18,675 18,750 18,825 18,775 19,275 19,675 19,175 18,875 18,700 18,600 18,525 18,900 Employment 16,975 17,125 17,300 17,325 17,650 17,850 17,250 17,250 17,150 17,025 17,000 17,250 Unemployed 1,700 1,650 1,550 1,450 1,625 1,825 1,925 1,625 1,550 1,575 1,500 1,625 Rate 9.2 8.8 8.2 7.7 8.4 9.3 10.1 8.6 8.3 8.5 8.6 Calhoun Labor force 62,400 63,400 63,900 63,600 65,300 66,000 65,300 64,100 63,800 63,900 64,000 64,100 Employment 57,700 58,800 59,500 59,500 60,500 60,700 59,700 59,300 59,400 59,400 59,800 59,500 Unemployed 4,600 4,600 4,400 4,200 4,700 5,200 5,600 4,700 4,400 4,600 4,100 4,700 Rate 7.4 7.3 6.8 6.6 7.3 7.9 8.5 7.4 6.9 7.2 6.5 7.3 Berrien-Cass-Van Buren Labor force 130,175 131,525 131,775 131,475 134,075 137,050 135,875 133,575 132,575 132,275 132,575 133,000 Employment 117,350 118,950 120,300 121,175 123,075 124,575 123,275 122,700 122,225 121,500 121,850 121,550 Unemployed 12,825 12,575 11,475 10,300 10,975 12,500 12,600 10,875 10,350 10,775 10,725 11,450 Rate 9.9 9.6 8.7 7.8 8.2 9.1 9.3 7.8 8.6 Berrien Labor force 69,700 70,300 70,700 71,100 73,000 75,000 74,700 73,400 72,300 72,000 71,500 72,100 Employment 63,000 63,600 64,500 65,300 66,500 67,900 67,400 67,000 66,400 65,800 65,700 65,700 Unemployed 6,700 6,700 6,200 5,800 6,500 7,100 7,300 6,400 5,900 6,200 5,800 6,400 Rate 9.7 9.6 8.8 8.2 8.9 9.5 9.8 8.7 8.2 8.6 8.9 Cass Labor force 24,975 25,125 25,125 24,825 25,150 25,625 25,200 24,825 24,850 24,825 25,200 25,075 Employment 22,725 23,075 23,300 23,375 23,600 23,500 23,125 23,025 23,025 22,950 23,150 23,175 Unemployed 2,225 2,050 1,825 1,450 1,550 2,125 2,075 1,800 1,825 1,875 2,025 1,900 Rate 9.0 7.3 5.8 6.2 8.3 8.2 7.2 7.4 7.6 7.6 Van Buren Labor force 35,500 36,050 36,000 35,575 35,875 36,450 35,975 35,400 35,450 35,475 35,925 35,800 Employment 31,650 32,275 32,525 32,525 32,950 33,175 32,750 32,675 32,850 32,800 33,025 32,650 Unemployed 3,850 3,775 3,475 3,050 2,925 3,275 3,200 2,725 2,600 2,675 2,900 3,125 Rate 10.9 10.5 9.6 8.6 8.2 9.0 8.9 7.7 7.4 7.5 8.8 -St. Joseph Labor force 148,750 151,150 151,875 151,675 155,250 157,650 156,175 154,825 154,000 154,350 153,725 153,575 Employment 138,225 140,700 142,000 142,075 144,000 145,225 142,825 143,525 143,475 143,100 143,850 142,625 Unemployed 10,525 10,450 9,875 9,600 11,250 12,425 13,375 11,300 10,525 11,275 9,875 10,950 Rate 7.1 6.9 6.5 6.3 7.2 7.9 8.6 7.3 6.8 7.3 6.4 7.1 Labor force 121,800 124,075 124,575 124,425 127,275 129,000 128,100 126,275 126,300 126,800 126,375 125,900 Employment 113,475 115,725 116,675 116,700 118,175 118,975 117,500 117,150 117,800 117,675 118,475 117,125 Unemployed 8,300 8,350 7,875 7,725 9,100 10,000 10,600 9,125 8,500 9,125 7,900 8,775 Rate 6.8 6.7 6.3 6.2 7.1 7.8 8.3 7.2 6.7 7.2 6.3 7.0 St. Joseph Labor force 26,950 27,075 27,300 27,250 27,975 28,650 28,075 28,550 27,700 27,550 27,375 27,675 Employment 24,725 24,975 25,325 25,375 25,825 26,250 25,325 26,375 25,675 25,400 25,400 25,500 Unemployed 2,225 2,100 2,000 1,875 2,150 2,400 2,750 2,175 2,025 2,150 1,975 2,175 Rate 8.3 7.8 7.3 6.9 7.7 8.4 9.8 7.7 7.3 7.8 7.2 7.8 South Central Michigan Labor force 131,775 132,650 133,000 132,900 135,350 138,200 135,800 133,525 133,475 133,575 133,475 133,975 Employment 119,700 120,650 121,650 122,125 123,350 125,075 121,900 121,800 122,600 122,025 122,600 122,125 Unemployed 12,075 12,000 11,350 10,775 12,000 13,125 13,900 11,700 10,875 11,550 10,875 11,850 Rate 9.2 9.0 8.5 8.9 9.5 10.2 8.8 8.2 8.7 8.8 Hillsdale Labor force 18,800 18,850 19,000 19,025 19,500 20,175 19,700 19,300 19,400 19,325 19,050 19,275 Employment 16,900 17,025 17,250 17,350 17,625 18,125 17,550 17,475 17,650 17,500 17,425 17,450 Unemployed 1,900 1,825 1,750 1,675 1,900 2,050 2,175 1,825 1,750 1,825 1,650 1,850 Rate 10.1 9.7 9.2 8.8 9.7 10.2 11.0 9.4 9.0 9.4 8.6 9.6 Labor force 69,500 69,900 70,100 70,100 71,600 72,900 72,200 70,700 70,100 70,300 70,500 70,700 Employment 63,300 63,700 64,300 64,500 65,400 66,000 65,000 64,500 64,500 64,300 64,800 64,600 Unemployed 6,100 6,200 5,800 5,600 6,200 6,800 7,100 6,100 5,700 6,100 5,600 6,100 Rate 8.8 8.8 8.3 7.9 8.7 9.4 9.9 8.7 8.6 8.0 8.7 Lenawee Labor force 43,525 43,925 43,900 43,750 44,225 45,150 43,950 43,525 43,975 43,925 43,950 43,975 Employment 39,475 39,950 40,125 40,225 40,325 40,900 39,325 39,800 40,475 40,250 40,325 40,100 Unemployed 4,050 4,000 3,750 3,525 3,900 4,250 4,625 3,750 3,500 3,675 3,625 3,875 Rate 9.3 9.1 8.6 8.8 9.4 10.5 8.6 7.9 8.4 8.3 8.8 Page 6