For the following counties that make up the northwest region labor market (Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee and Wexford) the seasonally unadjusted jobless rate was 16.2 percent, up from 14.8 in November. Michigan's unemployment rate increased from 14.1 to 14.3 percent.

The Petoskey News-Review has this story:

“Regional labor markets in December generally followed typical seasonal patterns,” said Rick Waclawek, director of the state Bureau of Labor Market Information & Strategic Initiatives. “However, 2009 as a whole was anything but typical. Michigan not only faced the impact of the second year of a severe national recession, but also had to contend with the fallout from major restructuring within the auto industry. These two events caused regional unemployment rates to rise dramatically in 2009.

In the northwest region, Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth economic analyst Jim Rhein noted that it’s typical for construction and lodging businesses to scale back on staffing as winter approaches. In some communities, the trend is offset somewhat by winter tourism and recreation destinations ratcheting up for the season.

Preliminary statistics showed that Michigan wrapped up 2009 with a 14 percent annual average unemployment rate for the year, up considerably from the 8.4 percent figure of 2008. The northwest region’s year-to-year increase was a bit more moderate, with a 13.8 percent annual rate of joblessness for 2009 compared to 9.0 percent the previous year."

The Record-Eagle filed this report:

"Jobs were lost in several categories including construction, government, the service sector and the tourism industry.

The lowest jobless rate was 9 percent in the Ann Arbor region. The highest rate was 18.7 percent in the northeastern Lower Peninsula, while northwest Lower Michigan came in at 16.2 percent.

In northern Michigan, all 13 counties recorded higher jobless rates in December compared to November. The lowest was in Leelanau County at 11.6 percent, while Cheboygan had the highest at 20 percent."

To read the full Petoskey News-Review article, click here.
For the Record-Eagle report, click here.

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Photo: Leelanau Moonrise by Skysnapper.