Battle Creek's jobless rate edged down in September

Battle Creek's unemployment rate edged down to 3.9 percent in September while local non-farm payroll jobs remained mostly flat.

The Michigan Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives reported Thursday the Battle Creek Metropolitan Statistical Area gained 100 jobs last month. A gain of 600 government jobs was recorded by the agency, mostly from a "recall of support staff in education."

However, private service providers cut 400 total jobs in September with losses in retail trade, financial activities and other private services. Employment also fell in leisure and hospitality, and manufacturing.

The local jobless rate is below the statewide average, currently at 4.4 percent — the same jobless rate recorded for Battle Creek MSA in August. Since September 2015, the area has gained 700 total jobs.

Contact Dillon Davis at 269-966-0698 or dwdavis@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on Twitter: @DillonDavis