LANSING (WKZO) -- Unemployment rates dropped dramatically in April due to seasonal hiring in construction and hospitality, and the number of people who are giving up continues to climb as more and more people are running out of unemployment insurance, and dropping off the state’s radar.

The state’s auto recovery is also helping put people back to work in area auto parts plants. Statewide the unemployment rate fell to 8% in April.

Kalamazoo County has the lowest numbers in the region at 6.2%.

Calhoun County’s jobless rate fell from 7.5 to 6.8% which is now below the national average. The numbers show about 300 people dropping out of the labor pool. Van Buren County, which was hit hard by the spring frosts had the highest numbers at 8.8%