Business News: GFK…EGF mural & Chester Fritz facelift

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The Labor Department’s jobless claims show the number of Americans signing up for unemployment benefits fell slightly last week.   The tally stands at 210,000.  Overall 1.8-million Americans collected unemployment benefits for the week that ended March 9.

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More people took to the skies at the Grand Forks Airport in February compared to one year ago.  The North Dakota Aeronautics Commission reports 8,367 enplanements at the GFK last month.  That was the highest tally for the month since 2020.  Year-to-date boardings in Grand Forks at up one-percent.  The average load factor of 1,333 successful statewide flights was at 85%.

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The unemployment rate in the Grand Forks metro area increased in January to 2.4%.  That compares to 1.8% in December.  A total of 1,329 workers were in search of a job during the month.  The metro labor force totals 54,667.  By comparison Fargo sits at 2.4% and Bismarck 2.7%.

Minnesota has gained 37,565 payroll jobs over the year.  The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).  The 1.3% increase compares to 1.8% national average.  The private sector gained 15,274 jobs.

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New data from Minnesota Realtors® finds home buyers and sellers were more active across the state with gains in both sales and listings.  Since the gains in listings have outpaced the gains in sales, inventory levels are on the rise—most recently up 17.5% compared to February 2023. During the month, sellers listed 34.8% more homes, and buyers signed 12.6% more purchase agreements.  There were 10,555 active listings statewide in February.

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The deadline for artists to submit concept designs for a downtown East Grand Forks mural is rapidly approaching.  The Downtown Development Association is eyeing a site on a wall of the Riverwalk Center. Up to $4,500 including materials has been budgeted for this project. The deadline to apply is April 1st.  The winning finalist is expected to be selected by the end of next month.       (pictured:  staff rendering)

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Renovation of the Chester Fritz Auditorium is underway.  The lobby is getting a complete make-over at a cost of some $700,000 dollars.   The upgrades to the 2,400 seat arena include new carpeting…paint… ceiling tiles…and lighting.   The work is expected to be completed by August 1st. Construction of the auditorium dates back to the 1970’s.

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Valley Senior Living Receives 2024 Customer Experience Award from Pinnacle Quality Insight. Qualifying for the Pinnacle Customer Experience Award signifies that Valley Senior Living has ranked within the top 15% of care providers across the nation over the past 12 months.  Valley Senior Living operates three locations in Grand Forks with levels of care including skilled nursing, memory care, basic care, assisted living, and independent living.

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More than 440,000 Starbucks-branded mugs made by Nestle and sold during the winter holidays are being recalled after reports of some users receiving burns or lacerations. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said that the mugs, when microwaved or filled with extremely hot liquid, can overheat or break, posing burn and laceration hazards.  The mugs were sold nationwide both in store and online at places like Target and Walmart from November through January for about $10, $13 or $20 depending on the gift set       (AP)

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Sweet Easter baskets will likely come at a bitter cost this year for consumers as the price of cocoa climbs to record highs. Cocoa futures have roughly doubled in 2024 after surging 61% overall in 2023. Rising temperatures and weather conditions have stressed and damaged crops in West Africa, which produces more than 70% of the global cocoa supply. Big chocolate companies like Hershey’s and Mondelez have been passing those costs on to consumers.    (AP)