The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits moved up last week to 332,000 from a pandemic low, a sign that worsening COVID-19 infections may have slightly increased layoffs. Applications for jobless aid rose from 312,000 the week before, the Labor Department said Thursday. Jobless claims, which generally track the pace of layoffs, have fallen steadily for two months as many employers, struggling to fill jobs, have held onto their employees.
The Labor Market Information Center has published 2020 rankings for the largest employers in North Dakota. The top ten largest employers include: Sanford health…Walmart…Catholic Health Initiatives…Altru Health…Doosan Bobcat…UND…NDSU…Trinity Health…Bismarck Public Schools…ND Department of human Services.
North Dakota’s July not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.2 percent. The unemployment rate fell 0.4 of a percentage point between July and August. August 2020’s rate was 2.6 percentage points higher than the current rate. Between July 2021 and August 2021 unemployment fell by 1,909, a decrease of 12.8 percent.
Minnesota’s unemployment rate improved slightly and dropped one-tenth of a percentage point to 3.8% in August due to people moving out of unemployment and into employment, according to numbers released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Minnesota’s labor force participation rate held steady at 67.8% in August.
Average long-term mortgage rates dipped lower this week as economic prospects continued muted amid a wave of new delta variant coronavirus cases. They remained under 3%. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac says the average rate for a 30-year mortgage edged down to 2.86% from 2.88% last week. The rate for a 15-year loan fell to 2.12% from 2.19%.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison says his office has reached a settlement with California-based StubHub, Inc. over the company’s refusal to pay refunds to consumers for concerts, sports events, and other events that were cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the settlement, StubHub will pay $1.87 million in refunds to 5,500 consumers who either live in Minnesota or purchased tickets for events in Minnesota.
North Dakota Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) along with the North Dakota Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) has announced that Tyler Demars has been named Specialty Services Director. Demars, a long-time Bismarck resident, has worked in business and economic development for the last 10 years. He most recently worked at the Center for Technology & Business with the InnovateND program. He received his master’s degree in strategic leadership from the University of Mary.
Northdale oil has landed a building permit for a new car wash project at 4400 32nd Avenue South. The building permit issued by the City of Grand Forks lists the project cost at $1.7 million dollars.
Affordable Housing Developers Inc. (AHDI) held a Grand Reopening of Courtyard Apartments, an independent living community for households age 62 or older in Rugby. The property, which was originally constructed in 1981, required extensive structural repairs. Total project cost was $2.02 million.
Altru Health is partnering with Devils Lake Public Schools to provide medical service needs for students. A registered nurse will be available to five schools in the district for a variety of issues ranging from diabetes care and medication administration to lice checks and more. The deal also includes on-site licensed sports medicine services for student athletes at sporting events.
Valley City State University (VCSU) announced it has been ranked as the top regional public college in North Dakota by U.S. News and World Report. The report is based on retention, peer reviews, graduate rates, measures of student excellence, alumni giving rates and the educational expenditure per student. VCSU was ranked No. 2 in the Midwest category of public regional colleges.
Canadian Pacific hopes to complete its $31 billion acquisition of Kansas City Southern railroad before the end of next year. Shareholders of both companies are likely to vote on the deal sometime in December, and then Mexican and American regulators will have to sign off on the combination. Officials from both railroads provided an update on the timing of the deal last week in a call with investors.
Ford plans to spend $250 million and add 450 jobs at three Michigan plants to meet demand for the new F-150 Lightning. Kumar Galhotra, Ford’s president of the Americas, said Ford already has taken more than 150,000 reservations for the new electric version of its immensely popular F-150 pickup truck.
The Grand Craft Beer Tour will set up shop at the East Grand Forks Civic Center on September 25th. Over 100 craft beer selections are expected to be on tap for the event. Participants will visit the various beer vendors and consume 2 ounce samples of the vendor’s products. Tickets are currently on sale.
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