Business News: EGF hiring…ND jobs & Aldi

America’s employers delivered another healthy month of hiring in February, adding a surprising 275,000 jobs and again showcasing the U.S. economy’s resilience in the face of high interest rates. Last month’s job growth marked an increase from a revised gain of 229,000 jobs in January. At the same time, the unemployment rate ticked up two-tenths of a point in February to 3.9%. (AP)

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The Labor Market Information Center has released the latest Online Job Openings Report for North Dakota. The monthly summary of online job openings and active résumés from Job Service suggests the state had a total of 16,786 open and available online job openings in February. That’s a change of +13.0 percent (+1,927) from the prior month and down -1.9 percent (-325) from the same time one year ago. Among North Dakota’s 53 counties, 33 reported an over-the-year increase in job openings, while 20 reported an over-the-year decrease. Grand Forks County reported the largest over-the-year increase in job openings with a change of +212.

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The East Grand Forks School Board is expected to formally approve the hiring of Kevin Grover to be the next superintendent of District 595 when they meet this week. A negotiated contract proposal calls for a salary of $165,000 dollars in the first year of a three year deal. Grover is currently the Superintendent of the International Falls Public School system.

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The North Dakota Highway Patrol is undergoing another review from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement (CALEA). The NDHP has been recognized with the achievement for 15 continuous years. As part of the accreditation process a public comment portal is open until May 3rd. Created in 1979 the national agency provides public safety agencies with an opportunity to meet an established set of professional standards. The Grand Forks Police Department has achieved the mark since 2014. The next review round for the GFPD will be in 2025.

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North Dakota Agricultural Products Utilization Commission (APUC) has approved funding for four projects. The awards totaling $187,000 were approved at the APUC quarterly meeting in Bismarck. Among the recipients is a $50,000 grant for Northdale Oil Inc. to conduct a feasibility study on business plan for a new bio plant near Grand Forks. APUC will hold its next grant application hearing on May 29-30 in Fargo.

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A bill recently heard in a Minnesota House committee would require employers with more than 30 employees to disclose salary ranges…benefits…and compensation in job postings. Supporters say pay transparency promotes pay equity. Critics counter that current laws already prohibit employers from paying women less than men.

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ALDI has announced plans to add 800 stores nationwide by the end of 2028 through a combination of new openings and store conversions. As a key part of its plans, ALDI also announced the completion of its acquisition of Southeastern Grocers and its Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket banners. ALDI will invest more than $9 billion over the next five years on its national expansion.

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Gum makers are trying to figure out what will make Americans start chewing again. Generational habits, health concerns and the coronavirus pandemic have gnawed away at gum sales. Market research firm Circana says U.S. chewing gum sales rose less than 1% last year to 1.2 billion packages, which was still 32% fewer than in 2018.