U.S. manufacturing growth accelerated in September to the highest level since May despite supply chain problems. The Institute for Supply Management, a trade group of purchasing managers, said Friday that its index of manufacturing activity rose to a reading of 61.1 percent in September, 1.2 percentage points from the August level of 59.9 percent.
Average long-term mortgage rates jumped this week as the benchmark 30-year loan edged over 3%. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the average rate for a 30-year mortgage increased to 3.01% from 2.88% last week. The rate for a 15-year loan advanced to 2.28% from 2.15% last week. A factor in the upward pressure on rates was the Federal Reserve’s signaling last week its belief that the economy has recovered sufficiently from the pandemic recession.
Minnesota job gains in July were revised upward by 2,600 jobs in total employment and 3,100 in the private sector. This brings total employment from a gain 0.5% to 0.6% and private sector employment from a gain of 0.4% to 0.5% in July. Accommodations & Food Services saw the largest revision, up an additional 1,200 jobs in July.
The unemployment rate for Grand Forks County in August was 2.8%. Adjusted for seasonality, North Dakota’s unemployment rate was 3.6 percent, down from last month. Grand Forks posted a labor force of 36,362 – with 1,017 listed as unemployed.
The North Dakota Industrial Commission has approved program guidelines and is currently accepting financial assistance applications through Nov. 1, 2021, for the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority. The Legislature established the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority and appropriated $25 million for the program and authorized the Commission to borrow up to $250 million from the Bank of North Dakota. The guidelines provide that a grant can be for 50% of a project’s costs with a minimum amount of $1 million and a maximum amount of $10 million.
Governor Tim Walz joined governors from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin to announce the establishment of a partnership to collaborate on an electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across the Midwest region, signing the Regional Electric Vehicle for the Midwest Memorandum of Understanding. An estimated 105,000 new jobs in the utility sector are anticipated to be needed to deploy EV charging infrastructure by 2030.
Governor Doug Burgum has appointed Becca Cruger, workforce development manager at the Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corporation (EDC), to the North Dakota Workforce Development Council. The Council serves as the state’s workforce innovation and opportunity board.
The City of Grand Forks has issued a building permit for the Jackson Flats project at 2350 36th Avenue South. The permit lists the price-tag for the 40 unit apartment building at $5.6 million dollars.
Grand Forks Public Health (GFPH) announced a relocation of the semi-permanent COVID-19 vaccination clinic site from Hugo’s Family Marketplace to the Grand Cities Mall. The clinic will be located in the former Christian Bookshelf location. COVID-19 vaccination is free at this site, no insurance is needed.
Wendy Hart Ross has been appointed Deputy Regional Director for Management and Administration of Interior Regions 3…4…5 in America’s Midwest. She will move into the Deputy position at the end of November after having served the past seven years as Superintendent of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. In her new role, Ross will be part of the senior leadership team overseeing 58 national park units, 3 national trails, and 8 national heritage areas located in 13 states.
This is Fire prevention Week. Grand Forks and East Grand Forks Fire Department’s. The Grand Forks Fire Department is hosting a series of events including visits to the schools and preschools and a free smoke detector giveaway on Tuesday 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the central Fire Station. An open house is scheduled for EGF Station 1 located at 415 4th St NW on Monday from 6pm to 8pm. This year’s theme is “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety.”
Gun manufacturer Smith & Wesson plans to relocate its headquarters from Massachusetts in a $125 million investment expected to create 750 jobs in Tennessee. The company founded in 1852 is currently centered in Springfield, Massachusetts. Tennessee’s Department of Economic and Community Development says Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. is moving its headquarters, distribution, assembly and plastic injection molding operations to Maryville.
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