First-time jobless claims bucked a recent downward trend last week – rising by 13-thousand. The Labor Department says 196-thousand initial claims were filed for the week ending February 4th. For several weeks, that number has been dropping. About one-point-seven million Americans are currently receiving unemployment benefits.
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According to new research released by AARP, 79% of workers older than 40 say that flexible work hours now are a job requirement, while 66% said they wouldn’t even consider a job offer if they couldn’t work remotely at least part of the time. Not surprisingly, older workers have retirement at the front of their minds when job hunting, with retirement savings, pension benefits, and being able to phase into retirement among the top considerations.
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The Labor Market Information Center has compiled North Dakota cost of living data through Q4 2022. Seven fundamental living expense categories are tracked: food, housing, health care, transportation, child care, other necessities, and taxes. It represents a “basic needs” cost of living and doesn’t include discretionary expenses. The estimated household income to cover basic life costs for Grand Forks County is $24,240 dollars. That’s $905 dollar less than the statewide average.
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Comparing Minnesota to U.S. job growth, Minnesota is up 3.2% over the year (OTY) with the private sector up 3.6%. U.S. employment grew 2.9% OTY with the private sector up 3.2%. During the 12 month span Minnesota gained 91,936 payroll jobs. The private sector gained 87,587 jobs.
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The Grand Forks School District will be searching for a new Director of Buildings and Grounds. A letter of resignation from Darin Johnson will come before the school board Monday night. Johnson was hired in August to fill the post left vacant by the departure of Chris Arnold. In his letter of resignation Johnson did not give a reason for the decision.
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Across the retail landscape, businesses have been putting items under lock and key as a quick way to stop thieves. Some are considering extreme measures like putting everything behind showcases to ensure the products are there for customers who want to buy it. But by trying to solve one problem, these businesses may be creating another: turning off shoppers with overreaching measures.
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Grand Forks saw fewer permits issued for single family homes in 2022. According to a planning report the city permitted 70 new single family homes last year. That was the fewest number over the past ten year span. The average is around 100 per year. In 2018 the city recorded 123 new builds.
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Grand Forks has set a March 2nd deadline for receiving proposals on the naming rights for the “HIVE” building downtown. The former GF Herald building has been transformed into a tech accelerator. The minimum bid for naming the building is $500,000 spread over 10 years. The JDA approved the RFP process this past week.
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UND will ask the NDUS Finance Committee this week to approve demolition plans for the Conference Center building at 2724 University Avenue. A staff report says the building has over $3 million dollars in capital renewal needs. It currently sits vacant with an insurable value of $250,000.
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East Grand Forks Park & Rec officials are working to find available ice time for open skates at the Civic and VFW arenas after opting not to open outdoor rinks this winter. A combination of heavy snow early in the season combined with staffing issues prevented crews from flooding traditional park sites at Nash and Stauss. Superintendent Reid Huttunen says it doesn’t make financial sense to open the rinks this late in the season.
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Bobcat Company, a global leader in the compact equipment industry, has completed a $9.3 million investment in punch press automation and press technology at its manufacturing facility in Gwinner, N.D. The new press line is expected to more than double press production capabilities, reduce energy consumption, lower noise levels and improve complex forming for sheet metal parts, all of which will help meet the demand for Bobcat equipment.
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North Dakota Council on the Arts has added Christi Stonecipher of Bismarck, to its board of directors. Stonecipher was recently appointed by Governor Burgum to serve on NDCA’s board. She will serve through July 2026 as she is filling out the term for Shawn Oban who was appointed Board Chair. Stonecipher graduated from UND with a BBA in Marketing & Management. She served as the first Recycling Coordinator for the City of Grand Forks. She currently serves as the Director of Communications and Marketing for the North Dakota Community Foundation.
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The University of North Dakota will mark its 140th anniversary on Thursday (2/16). Founders Day marks the anniversary of the signing of the 1883 Dakota Territory legislation establishing the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks and is the official birthday of UND. The first celebration of Founders Day was held in 1904.
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Chick-fil-A is jumping on the plant-based bandwagon. The chain says it’s testing its first plant-based entrée – a breaded cauliflower sandwich – at restaurants in Denver; Charleston, South Carolina; and the Greensboro, North Carolina, area. The test begins Feb. 13. Chick-fil-A said its culinary team spent four years developing the sandwich after guests told the chain they wanted to add more vegetables to their diets.
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Producers of spirits have new bragging rights in the age-old whiskey vs. beer barroom debate. Figures show spirits surpassed beer for U.S. market-share supremacy, based on supplier revenues. The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States made the announcement. The rise to the top was fueled in part by the resurgent cocktail culture, including the popularity of ready-to-drink concoctions.