PIC: Alerus Center
U.S. economy grew at a solid 6.5% annual rate last quarter in another sign that the nation has achieved a sustained recovery from the pandemic recession. The total size of the economy has now surpassed its pre-pandemic level.
The number of Americans collecting unemployment benefits slid last week, another sign that the job market continues to recover rapidly from the coronavirus recession. The Labor Department reports jobless claims dropped by 24,000 to 400,000. The weekly applications have fallen more or less steadily this year — from a peak of 904,000 in early to January.
The world’s return to almost normalcy is slowing down Amazon’s pandemic-induced sales surge. The online behemoth posted better-than-expected profits for the second quarter. But it delivered sales results that came in short of expectations. It Amazon still is one of the few retailers that has prospered during the pandemic.
Grand Forks sales tax collections hit a 22 month high in July. The local tax came in at $3,095,925 dollars. It represents the second highest monthly collection in history. Collections for 2021 are running 8.94% over last year. The city has collected $16,097,155.85 dollars to date.
Work began this week on the repainting of the south side of the Alerus Center. The Events Center Commission approved the bid of Pace Painting this week. The building outside suffered from sun fade that was made more evident by a recent change in signage. The cost of the project is just over $113,000 dollars – less than engineer estimates. The bid award comes with a 10 year warranty.
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) will launch its new Main Street Economic Revitalization Program on Aug. 3. This $80 million statewide economic redevelopment program will award grants to partner organizations to establish programs within specific communities that will, in turn, fund economic development and redevelopment projects. The program was approved by the Minnesota State Legislature and signed by Gov. Tim Walz on June 29, 2021.
The state Industrial Commission has authorized two new loan programs designed to help livestock producers during the current drought. One provides low interest loans for costs ranchers incurred during the drought. The other will provide loans to ranchers who had to reduce their herds – allowing them to rebuild breeding stock. The Industrial Commission approved $150 million for the two loan programs at an interest rate of 3.5 percent.
An Omaha meat processor has recalled more than 295,000 pounds of raw beef products intended to be made into ground beef that may be contaminated with E. coli. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced Greater Omaha Packing’s recall Thursday. The beef products were produced on July 13 and bear establishment number “EST. 960A” inside the USDA mark of inspection. The packages were distributed in Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota and Nebraska.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded $1,038,570 to Mayville State University. The Office of Head Start grant will be used to provide Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership services to infants, toddlers and low-income families.
UND showed of the newly renovated Gershman Graduate Center this past week. The home served as UND’s president’s residence from 1902 until 1955. Hal and Kathy Gershman donated $3 million dollars to transform the space into dedicated space for graduate students and programs. It is the oldest building on campus.
The equine arena in the University Teaching and Outreach Center (UTOC) on the University of Minnesota Crookston Campus has been named the Charles H. Casey Equine Arena in honor of the former Chancellor and U of M Regent. A celebration to mark the event will be held August 17th.
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