Michigan's jobless rate edged higher in May

Michigan’s unemployment rate ticked up last month.

Michigan’s unemployment rate rose two tenths of one percent in May to 8.5%.

The state’s unemployment rate had fallen for nine consecutive months and it’s the first increase in the state unemployment rate since May of last year.

A year ago, Michigan’s unemployment rate stood at 10.6%.

Part of the reason for the increase in unemployment in Michigan is a rise in the number of people looking for work in the state.

Job cuts were recorded in manufacturing and professional and business services, while job gains were posted in financial activities, and trade, transportation, and utilities.

Michigan’s jobless rate remains slightly higher than the national unemployment rate, which also ticked up last month.