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Mi. job stats are encouraging

The latest Michigan jobless numbers were released this week and with it, both good and bad news.

The good news is the jobless rate in Michigan as of July was at its lowest point since 2000, standing at 4.3 percent. In December of 2000 the unemployment rate was 4.2 percent.

The bad news is that total employment in the state is down about 250,000 from the numbers at that same period – December of 2000.

In a classic struggle between the “glass half full or half empty,” we will choose to focus on the positive.

We say that, because state statistics are trending upward. For instance the state’s labor force has grown by 10,000 thus far this year and since July of last year, it has grown 29,000 over 12 months.

“Michigan is continuing on the best possible path to a prosperous future,” said Gov. Rick Snyder about this week’s numbers. “For as long as we stay on this path and don’t become complacent, our job market will continue expanding.”

Are the numbers perfect? No, there always is room for improvement.

Are the numbers trending in the right direction? Absolutely, and thus we remain optimistic about where we are headed.

In this instance, we believe that optimism is easily justified.

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