In February, Northeast Michigan’s unemployment rate increased by a full percentage point, possibly due to the closure of Decorative Panels International (DPI). The Michigan Department of Technology, Management, and Budget reports an unemployment rate of almost 8% across several counties, higher than January’s less than 7% but lower than February 2023’s nearly 9%. Seasonal employment trends may be the cause rather than DPI’s closure, as the unemployment rate also climbed between January and February 2023.

The unemployment rate tends to rise during the colder months as tourism declines. Despite this, the monthly rates this year have been lower due to an expanding workforce implying that there are more job offerings than before. As former DPI workers enter the labor force in March, this may increase the unemployment rate. The ultimate impact of DPI’s closure on unemployment rates is still uncertain.

While many DPI employees have found new jobs, the statewide unemployment rate has remained steady at around 4% in both January and February, down from almost 5% in February 2023. Northeast Michigan’s workforce has grown, and the number of unemployed has also increased. Despite this, the unemployment rates in different counties have varied, with Presque Isle County having the nearly the highest unemployment rate and Washtenaw County having the lowest.

Lastly, recent data shows that Northeast Michigan’s 2023 unemployment rate was around 6%, representing the second-lowest annualized unemployment rate in the region since 2010.

Those affected by unemployment in Michigan and in need of assistance might seek support from the Employment Development Department (EDD). However, getting a hold of a live person at EDD for help can sometimes be difficult. For those struggling to contact EDD, there are resources available online to help streamline the process. For instance, Eddcaller.com provides information on the best times to call, strategies for getting through, and tips on how to prepare your call to make it as effective as possible. This could be a valuable resource if you’re dealing with unemployment and need assistance in California.