Business News: ND jobs…GFK boardings & GF restaurant

Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes fell in June to the slowest pace since January, as a near-historic low number of homes for sale and rising mortgage rates kept many would-be homebuyers on the sidelines. The national median sales price fell on an annual basis for the fifth month in a row. Existing home sales fell 3.3% last month from May to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.16 million.

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The new numbers from the Labor Department suggest that employers may have slowed hiring but they’re hanging on to the employees they have. New applications for unemployment benefits fell by 9 thousand to 228 thousand last week. That’s the lowest level in two months. But claims by people receiving unemployment benefits for more than a week… climbed by 33 thousand to 1.75 million.

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North Dakota’s June not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.3 percent. The unemployment rate increased 0.4 of a percentage point between May and June. A total of 9,576 people were in search of work during the month. North Dakota typically sees a moderate change in unemployment numbers between May and June.

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A new report from North Dakota Job Service looks at employment demographics. From 2012 to 2022, the largest change by number occurred in the 45-64 age group, which decreased by approximately 11,000 workers (7 percent). The largest change by percent occurred in the 65+ year-old age group, which increased by approximately 8,000 workers (47 percent). The 10-year growth among older workers suggests that North Dakotans are opting to remain in or rejoin the labor force rather than retiring.

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Minnesota’s labor force growth continues to accelerate with more than 9,000 people entering the labor market in June – the fourth month in a row with positive growth and the largest monthly gain in three years. With 9,017 new people in the job market, Minnesota’s labor force participation rate increased two-tenths of a percentage point to 68.4%, compared to 62.6% nationally. Minnesota’s unemployment rate remained steady at 2.9% in June.

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The Minnesota State Fair is still looking for a few good workers. The Fair has scheduled a job fair on July 26th to help fill hundreds of open positions. The Great Minnesota Get-Together is scheduled to run August 14 through Labor Day.

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The Grand Forks Air Force Base School Board has completed its leadership team moving forward. Michelle Shepperd will continue to serve as president. Brandon Shepperd was named VP. The rest of the board includes: Arielle Neumann, Brent Harland, and newcomer Jennifer Rivera.

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Governor Doug Burgum has appointed Southeast Judicial District Judge Cherie Clark and East Central Judicial Referee Stephanie Hayden to two newly created judgeships in the East Central Judicial District. Clark was appointed to a judgeship in 2017. The court oversees cases in Cass…Steele and Traill counties.

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Boardings at the Grand Forks Airport climbed over 11% in June. The GFK saw 7,246 passengers pass through the gates last month. Passenger numbers for the first six months of 2023 are up over 4%.

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Canad Inn officials are working to reopen the ‘l Bistro restaurant. Management says the kitchen in the eatery has been revamped and a new menu will be unveiled this fall.

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Northland Potato Growers Association announces the appointment of the 2023 – 2024 Executive Committee along with two new Board members. Peter Imle of Gonvick, MN has replaced David Fedje of Hoople, ND as Chairman of the Board effective July 1st. Casey Hoverson from Larimore, ND will serve as Vice-Chairman, and Sander Dagen from Karlstad, MN will serve as Secretary/Treasurer for the upcoming year.