GF Business News: ND jobs…scooters & recalls

The Labor Market Information Center has released the latest Online Job Openings Report – a monthly summary of online job openings and active résumés from Job Service North Dakota. The numbers show North Dakota had a total of 17,111 open and available online job openings in February 2023.  That’s up 9.3 percent (+1,460) from the prior month and -12.7 percent (-2,489) from the same time one year ago.

Minnesota gained 14,100 jobs over the month in January, up 0.5%, on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to numbers released by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The state’s private sector gained 12,000 jobs.  From December to January, Minnesota’s unemployment rate stayed at 2.9%.

Minnesota exports of agricultural, mining and manufactured products reached a record high of $27 billion in 2022, according to a report released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The state’s exports continued their growth streak from 2021, jumping 16% over the year.

The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate rose for the fifth straight week.  The 30-year rate climbed to 6.73%.  Home sales have been down for the last 12 months..

North Dakota Health and Human Services is reaching out to employers to participate in a new Working Parents Child Care Relief pilot program. The program will match employer-led child care benefits of at least $300 per month. The new public-private partnership can help employers attract and retain workforce while providing working parents with financial relief from the high cost of child care.  The pilot program will run through September 2026 or until funding is exhausted.

East Grand Forks council will discuss allowing electric scooters in the city when they meet this week.  Bird Rides Inc. already offers the service in Grand Forks and is hoping to expand to the other side of the river.  During Tuesday’s meeting the council will review several points in an MOU with the company.  The scooters rolled into Grand Forks this past September.

Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport in Dickinson, ND has been recognized as North Dakota’s “2022 Commercial Service Airport of the Year.”   This award is sponsored annually by the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission in partnership with the Airport Association of North Dakota. Watford City Municipal Airport was named North Dakota’s “2022 General Aviation Airport of the Year.”

The University of Minnesota Crookston has selected Rosemary Erickson Johnsen, Ph.D., as the next Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. Johnsen currently serves as the division head for Business, Arts, and Education, and will start her new role May 1.   Johnsen came to Crookston in 2022 and previously served as the associate provost and associate vice president of academic affairs at Governors State University in Chicago, Illinois.

The National Potato Council has installed its 2023 Executive Committee members.  During the Annual Meeting of the Voting Delegates, RJ Andrus of Idaho Falls, Idaho, was elected to serve as the Council’s President for the next 12 months and T J Hall from Hoople, North Dakota was named to the Executive Committee as Vice President of Grower Outreach and Industry Research.

Yeti is recalling 1.9 million soft coolers and gear cases due to magnet-lined closures that can fail and detach.  Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled products and contact YETI to receive a full refund or replacement product.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released a new regulatory requirements to better align the voluntary “Product of USA” label claim with consumer understanding of what the claim means.  The claim on meat, poultry and egg products can only be used when they are derived from animals born, raised, slaughtered and processed in the United States.