Business News: Red River Biorefinery…GF home sales & Niagra demo

America’s employers added a healthy 253,000 jobs in April, evidence of a labor market that still shows surprising resilience despite rising interest rates, chronically high inflation and a banking crisis that could weaken the economy. The unemployment rate dipped to 3.4%, matching a 54-year low.

— — —

The Red River Biorefinery plant in Grand Forks is looking to get back on track. The company has been down since it stopped production in the spring of 2022 due to ongoing wastewater issues. A company official tells KNOX they are still working through a number of different scenarios and there is no specific date for the restart. City Administrator Todd Feland says it could include a possible expansion.

— — —

The Labor Market Information Center has released the latest Online Job Openings Report of online job openings and active résumés from Job Service North Dakota’s labor exchange system. North Dakota had a total of 15,786 open and available online job openings in April 2023. That represents a -7.8 percent decline from the prior month and -19.4 percent (-3,788) from the same month one year ago.

— — —

A total of 44 homes…townhomes…and condos were sold in Grand Forks / East Grand Forks last month. The April tally compares to 69 last year and 90 in 2021. The average sales price was $328,391 dollars. The numbers supplied by the Grand Forks Area Association of Realtors do not include private sales.

— — —

The Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced Andy Donahue as the new Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Director. Minnesota features nine regional centers and 26 satellite centers – all of which offer guidance to small businesses. In 2022, SBDC clients developed 152 new businesses, created or saved more than 4,500 new jobs, and grew revenues by more than $232 million.

— — —

Grand Forks County has taken steps to remove a vacant building in Niagra. The city asked the county to address what it called a rodent infested eyesore on Main Street. The county assumed ownership of the former bar and vehicle repair shop after the owners fell delinquent on their property taxes. County Highway Engineer Nick West says the tin was being stripped from the building for recycling. The city will the burn what’s left and haul the remaining material away.

— — —

The North Dakota Army National Guard’s Camp Grafton Training Center (CGTC) and 164th Regional Training Institute (RTI) welcomed new commanders in change of command ceremonies conducted at the Training Center near Devils Lake. In the first ceremony, Lt. Col. Anna L. Wittrock assumed duties as the commander of CGTC from Col. Philip F. Baker Jr. who has led the unit since April 1, 2022. An hour later, Baker assumed command of the 164th RTI from Col. Russ Wolf, who is scheduled to retire later this month.

— — —

In a settlement agreement last year, TurboTax’s owner Intuit Inc. was ordered to pay $141 million to low-income consumers who were deceived into paying TurboTax to file their federal returns — despite being eligible for free, federally-supported tax services. Checks to the 4.4 million Americans eligible for restitution payments will be mailed out starting this week. The amount paid to each eligible consumer ranges from $29 to $85, depending on how many tax years they qualify for.

— — —

Gov. Doug Burgum has signed an executive order granting a waiver of hours of service requirements for drivers of commercial vehicles transporting agricultural inputs including fertilizer, liquid fertilizer, anhydrous ammonia, pesticides and seed. Late winter storms have resulted in a compressed time frame for planning and treating fields, forcing truck drivers to move greater amounts of agricultural inputs in a shorter amount of time. The 30 day order goes into effect immediately.

— — —

Fourteen-year-olds in Wisconsin could serve alcohol to seated customers in bars and restaurants under a bill circulated for cosponsors by a pair of Republican state lawmakers. Under current law, only workers age 18 and above can serve alcohol to customers in Wisconsin.

— — —

The Pita Pit eatery on 32nd Avenue South is going out of business. The restaurant announced the closure on its social media site this week. The final day of operation is today (Sunday).

— — —

Vivian Hayes and the Hi-Praise and Lamont Cranston Band will headline Blues on The Red in Grand Forks this summer. Blues on the Red returns Saturday, June 17th at Town Square. This concert is made possible by the Downtown Development Association, The Olive Ann Hotel, Visit Greater Grand Forks, and Leighton Broadcasting.