The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell last week to 712,000. That’s the lowest total since early November and evidence that fewer employers are cutting jobs amid a decline in confirmed coronavirus cases and signs of an improving economy.
U.S. long-term mortgage rates again rose modestly this week against the backdrop of an improving economy and further distribution of coronavirus vaccines. Rates remain near historic lows, however. The benchmark 30-year loan stayed above the 3% mark, a level it breached last week for the first time since July 2020.
Grand Forks / East Grand Forks home sales were up in February. The Grand Forks Area Association of Realtors reports 52 single family homes…townhomes…and condos exchanged hands last month. That compares to 35 one year ago. The average sales price was $222,743 dollars. The figures do not include privately sold parcels.
U.S. News & World Report has named Minnesota as the second best state in the nation. North Dakota holds down the 14th spot. U.S. News & World Report ranked all 50 states based on data within 71 metrics and across eight categories. Minnesota scored high marks for infrastructure…opportunity…and natural environment. North Dakota was also a top ten state for infrastructure and natural environment.
Grand Forks sales tax collections took a tumble in February. The city collected $1,878,470.13 for the month. That was down by over $711,000 from the same month a year ago. The tax represented sales from December. Finance officials says when looking at a three period encompassing the holiday shopping season collections were down 8.8%.
Minnesota’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 4.5% in January, down from a revised 4.7% in December. The decline was due to people leaving the labor force from both employment and unemployment. The national unemployment rate fell to 6.3% in January from 6.7% in December.
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development says 6,151 small businesses received $10,000 grants through the Small Business Relief Grants program. The program – created last June by the state legislature – was available to businesses that could demonstrate financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. In Polk County 42 relief grants were approved totaling $420,000.
A pair of airports have landed awards from the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission. The 2020 Commerical Service Airport of the Year went to Fargo’s Hector Airport. Hettinger’s JB Linquist Airport was named General Aviation Airport of the Year. The announcement was made at the FLY_ND Conference this week.
The Community Violence Intervention Center (CVIC) has agreed to resume therapy services and restorative justice programs previously supported by Lutheran Social Service (LSS) of North Dakota, which closed earlier this year. Both are funded through September via a federal grant administered by the state of North Dakota.
Honda has plans to sell two all-electric SUVs in the U.S. in the 2024 model year. It will also offer hybrid gas-electric versions of its top-selling models. The announcements Thursday come as the automaker acknowledged it has work to do to comply with emissions-reduction targets that will be coming from the Biden administration, and a California ban on sales of new internal combustion vehicles by 2035.
The Life Skills and Transition Center (LSTC) Superintendent Sue Foerster is retiring after a 40-year career. Foerster began her career at the LSTC in 1981 as a direct support professional. Heather Jenkins, LSTC’s assistant superintendent, will assume the position of interim superintendent on April 15. The LSTC provides residential services and supports to 65 people on the campus and nine others in supported apartment living arrangements in the Grafton community.
Mayor Brandon Bochenski will present his State of the City address on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at 6:00 pm. This year’s event will be virtual. The event is co-hosted by The Chamber of Grand Forks and East Grand Forks.
Ken is turning 60, two years after his best friend Barbie did. Mattel launched a reproduction of the original Ken doll on Thursday to commemorate his 1961 debut.
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