America’s employers stepped up their hiring in October, adding a solid 531,000 jobs, the most since July and a sign that the recovery from the pandemic recession may be overcoming a virus-induced slowdown. The report from the Labor Department also showed that the unemployment rate fell to 4.6% last month, from 4.8% in September.
Sharp rent increases in many parts of the country are eating up a bigger share of Americans’ monthly income, squeezing tenants already grappling with rising prices for gasoline, food and other necessities. Households with a median U.S. rent of $1,179 in August tapped 30.3% of their monthly income to pay their rent, up from 29.4% a year earlier, according to an analysis by Zillow.
The Labor Market Information Center has updated North Dakota cost of living data through Q3 (Jul-Sep) 2021. Seven fundamental living expense categories are tracked: food, housing, health care, transportation, child care, other necessities, and taxes. The estimated income needed to cover basic costs in Grand Forks County is $22,635. By comparison Cass County sits at $23,357 and Burleigh $24,247.
A new monthly survey of business leaders in nine Midwest and Plains states shows significant jumps in employment and inventories since September, but confidence in the economy over the next six month remained at a dismal low. The overall index for October of the Creighton University Mid-America Business Conditions rose to 65.2 from September’s 61.6. The monthly survey covers North Dakota…South Dakota…and Minnesota.
The Greater Grand Forks CVB is planning a promotion push to welcome Canadian shoppers back to Grand Forks. Non-citizen travelers who are fully vaccinated for COVID are permitted to enter the U.S. starting November 8th. As part of the campaign the CVB has distributed posters to local businesses…launched weekly social media giveaways…placing ads along I-29…and sending out welcome e-blasts.
Minnesota’s estimated workplace injury and illnesses rate for 2020 rose slightly from that of 2019. According to the annual Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, the state had an estimated 3.5 cases per 100 full-time-equivalent (FTE) workers in 2020 vs 3.2 cases per 100 FTE workers in 2019 – the lowest ever recorded since 1973. Minnesota had 76,700 workplace injuries and illnesses in 2020.
Work is underway on Altru’s joint venture with Encompass Health to operate an inpatient rehab unit in south Grand Forks. As part of the move the building at 4500 South Washington will undergo a name change to Altru Rehabilitation Hospital. Altru will renovate the current space to increase the patient room count from 23 to 40 to create an activities of daily living suite, expand the therapy gym and in-house dialysis services for rehabilitation patients. The City of Grand Forks has issued a $6.5 million dollar building permit for the project.
According to an employer survey 65% of Grand Forks businesses say workforce supply is preventing company growth. The study was commissioned as part of the push for establishing a career Impact Academy in Grand Forks. Supporters of a CIA face a December 1st deadline to apply for a state matching grant up to $10 million dollars for construction.
Job openings in Minnesota soared to a record high in the second quarter of 2021 as demand for workers greatly outpaced hiring. Minnesota reported more than 205,000 vacancies according to figures released by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. This was an 84% increase compared to the second quarter of 2020.
Lauren Bennett McGinty has been named Director of Explore Minnesota Tourism, effective November 15. McGinty most recently served as the Executive Director of the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild where she directed strategic planning and marketing for more than 160 breweries.
Airbnb has reported a strong third quarter with record profit and revenue as more people get vaccinated and return to traveling. Airbnb said Thursday that it earned $834 million on $2.2 billion in revenue during the third quarter, which is traditionally its strongest part of the year because it includes summer travel.
Online applications are now open for anyone wishing to grow or process hemp in Minnesota in 2022. A license from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is required for individuals and businesses. Applications must be submitted by April 30, 2022. Tourism generates $1.0 billion in state sales tax on $16.6 billion in leisure and hospitality sales and employing nearly 275,000 workers in Minnesota’s leisure and hospitality businesses.
The National Toy Hall of Fame has inducted American Girl dolls and the strategy board game Risk, recognizing each for their influence on the toy industry. Also inducted was sand, which it calls perhaps the most universal and oldest toy in the world. To be inducted into the hall of fame, toys must have withstood tests of time and memory, changed play or toy design and foster learning, creativity or discovery.
FOLLOW US FOR INSTANT UPDATES!
