GF Business News: ND jobs…GFK grant & cash

North Dakota’s May 2023 not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 1.9 percent.  That compares to 2.1% in April…and 1.7% one year ago.  According to North Dakota Job Service a total of 7,980 residents were in search of work last month.  The labor force totals 413,249.

After three years, the pandemic-era freeze on student loan payments will end in late August. More than 40 million Americans will have to start making federal student loan payments again at the end of the summer under the terms of a debt ceiling deal approved by Congress.

The North Dakota Aeronautics Commission has finalized and approved approximately $20 million in state infrastructure grant allocations to multiple public airports throughout North Dakota.  $14 million is being provided to assist with maintenance and improvements at the commercial service airports and $6 million is provided for general aviation airport projects.  The state grant allocations also match and leverage federal grant dollars.  The Grand Forks Airport (GFK) received $7.2 million.

For the first time in its 46-year history, the all-women annual Air Race Classic will begin its takeoff from the Grand Forks International Airport on Tuesday.  The event is hosted by UND’s John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences.  The 2,684-statute-mile competition ends Friday, June 23, at the Miami Homestead General Aviation Airport.  Over 40 aircraft will begin taking off at 30-second intervals for the race.

Electronic signs will go up this fall at Red River and Central showcasing events at both high schools.  The video board will feature respective school logos as well as space for four sponsors.  Revenue generated from the signs will help pay for installation and activities at each school.  The Grand Forks School Board has awarded the bid to Indigo Signs for installation at a cost of $55,000 each.

Activity fees are taking a hike in East Grand Forks next school year.  The school board has approved a fee bump ranging between $10 and $25 for most categories.  Hockey and football will be the priciest at $175 and $150 dollars respectively.  Ticket prices to events will not change for the 2023-24 school year.

U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer is a co-sponsor of legislation to prohibit retail businesses from refusing to accept cash as a form of payment and prevent them from charging a higher price for using cash instead of other forms of payment. The so-called Payment Choice Act will ensure customers have the freedom to choose how they pay for goods and services.  Cramer says cold cash is still legal tender in the U.S. despite some businesses exclusive acceptance of electronic payments.

North Dakota Highway Patrol Trooper Jonathan Skalicky has been named the 2022 Trooper of the Year by the North Dakota Motor Carriers Association.  Skalicky serves the southeast region, stationed in Valley City as a Traffic Enforcement Trooper.  He graduated from Minot State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice in 1996.

The Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks is the recipient of the 2023 North Dakota Association of Nonprofit Organizations’ Partnership Building Award. The award is given to an organization that has demonstrated community leadership and built partnerships within the North Dakota nonprofit sector.  Over the past 25 years, the Community Foundation has deployed over $12 million to improve the quality of life of the region’s residents and enhance community vibrancy.

Altru Health System has launched a search for a new permanent Chief Financial Officer.  The successful candidate will oversee financial operations for Altru Health System and its affiliate brands.  Derek Goebel, who has been serving as the interim CFO since February 2023, will continue to serve in that role until the position is filled.  That is expected sometime this fall.

Emerging farmers looking to purchase their first farm will soon have another opportunity to apply for grant funding to support their efforts. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Rural Finance Authority (RFA) has announced that a second round of funding for the Down Payment Assistance Program.  Payments up to $15,000 are available for qualified farmers to purchase farmland.