Americans are going back to one of their favorite pastimes: store shopping. With vaccinations rolling out and shoppers freer to go out maskless, retailers from Walmart to Macy’s are seeing an eager return to their stores after months of watching their customers focus on online buying during the pandemic. Shoppers return less than when buying online. And store customers tend to do more impulse buying than online.
Three months after saying that comparable store sales may actually fall in 2021, Best Buy released a much more optimistic outlook for the year after reporting booming sales in the first quarter. The Minnesota-based Best Buy said that its quarterly sales were helped by government stimulus payments, a short-term windfall, but it also believes that customers will continue to depend on the company’s services and products even after the pandemic eases.
The red-hot U.S. housing market is widening the gap between what a home is objectively worth and what eager buyers are willing to pay for it. Fierce competition amid an ultra-low inventory of homes on the market is fueling bidding wars, prompting a growing share of would-be buyers to sweeten offers well above what sellers are asking.
North Dakota recorded 6,666 initial unemployment claims in April 2021, up 74 percent from March but lower by 82.9 percent compared to the same month one year ago, during the depths of the pandemic-induced economic downturn. All 20 industries and all 53 counties reported significantly lower initial claims compared to the same month one year ago.
The largest check of the year for Grand Forks sales tax collections arrived at city hall in May. The city collected over $2.5 million dollars. That pushes the year-to-date total to $11,251,882.27 in 2021. The local tax is up 2.47% compared to one year ago.
The North Dakota Department of Commerce has announced that the Events and Support Services Grant application window will open June 10. The ESSG is designed to assist event centers and supporting businesses that continue to experience negative impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible applicants may be awarded up to $100,000 per qualifying location. Businesses must prove a 50% revenue loss from 2019-2020.
Income eligibility guidelines for the North Dakota Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) have been adjusted based on federal poverty levels. The change increases the amount of income a family can make and still qualify for services. Effective June 1, 2021, a family of four can earn up to $4,086 each month (or $49,025 annually) and meet the new WIC income eligibility requirements.
George Hellyer assumes his new role as Executive Director of the Grand Forks Park District on Monday. Hellyer has been with the Grand Forks Park District since 2010. He previously worked as a Certified Public Accountant. The UND grad takes was selected to fill the void created by the retirement Bill Palmiscno.
The inaugural harvest of genetically modified salmon began this week after the coronavirus pandemic delayed the sale of the first such altered animal cleared for human consumption in the United States. The fish are genetically modified to grow twice as fast as wild salmon, reaching market size in 18 months rather than 36.
North Dakota’s free fishing weekend is June 5-6, and residents can fish any body of water in the state without a license. “This is a great opportunity to give fishing a try or to invite someone new with you on the water for their first time,” said Cayla Bendel, North Dakota Game and Fish Department coordinator. There are over 400 fishing waters in the state.
Jaylee Weisser, a 5th grade student at Viking Elementary School, has been selected as the 2020-2021 North Dakota AAA School Safety Patroller of the Year. In her essay, Weisser spoke about serving as a student leader, being a role model for other students, and displaying leadership. Weisser will receive a plaque, a $200 gift card, and Viking Elementary School will receive a $100 credit to improve safety patrol gear.
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