US Commercial Service aids 15 ag companies on South America mission

Focused research mission leads to new insights into market opportunities

Midwest Manufacturing to build plant in ND

BISMARCK — The Burleigh County Commission has agreed to give Midwest Manufacturing a 50 percent property tax break for three years on a $7.5 million manufacturing plant it plans to build in McKenzie Township in North Dakota.

Medtronic cuts 2,000 jobs worldwide, 500 in Minn.

MINNEAPOLIS — Medical device maker Medtronic confirms it is eliminating 2,000 jobs worldwide, including 500 in Minnesota.

2014 Legislature: minimum wage, bonding and fixes expected

ST. PAUL -- There is little doubt the 2013 Minnesota Legislature will be remembered for its historic vote to allow gay marriage and a $2 billion tax increase.

• Paul Thissen

Farmers await clarity on how tax bill affects them

ST. PAUL – Minnesota farmers are not sure how much more they will be taxed after the Democratic-controlled Legislature adopted a $2 billion tax increase.

Shares of Raven Industries fall on 1Q profit drop

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Shares of Raven Industries Inc. tumbled Monday after the industrial products maker said its fiscal first-quarter net income fell 26 percent, as sluggish economic conditions hurt sales at all of its businesses.

Iron smelting plant may locate in ND

JAMESTOWN, N.D. -- The Spiritwood Energy Park in North Dakota may be home to an iron smelting operation by 2015, said Connie Ova, CEO of the Jamestown/Stutsman Development Corp., at the organization’s meeting Monday.

Fargo's Branick a bright spot in small manufacturing

FARGO, N.D. – Small manufacturing is helping lead America’s economic recovery, and Fargo’s Branick Industries is one of the brighter spots in the country, a top U.S. Small Business Administration official said Tuesday.

• Marie Johns and Tom Bolgrean

Bobcat breaks ground on $20 million facility

BISMARCK — Bobcat Co. is investing $20 million in an expansion and renovations in Bismarck, about 3½ years after closing its manufacturing plant and laying off nearly 500 workers.

ND pasta plant to restart next week

GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- The former Noodles by Leonardo pasta plant in Cando, N.D., will begin producing pasta next week, about six months after it closed its doors.

• Cando Pasta LLC

Senate measure blocks Missouri River fees

BISMARCK — The U.S. Senate passed an amendment Wednesday blocking the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from charging fees to access water in upper Missouri River reservoirs.

Grand Forks Council hears fertilizer plant plans

GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- Grand Forks City Council members Tuesday received a preview of the long list of preparations required to make a proposed $1.5 billion fertilizer plant near the city a reality.

• City of Grand Forks

‘Perfect’ site nets fertilizer plant facility

GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- The selection of 320 acres northwest of Grand Forks as the site of a proposed $1.5 billion fertilizer production plant came down to plentiful land and water, said developers, announcing the project Thursday.

• Jack Dalrymple, Don Pottinger and Larry Mackie

Obama administration seeks applicants for 'Investing in Manufacturing Communities' partnership

The Obama administration today announced that it is accepting applications for the first phase of the "Investing in Manufacturing Communities" Partnership, a new initiative outlined in the president's fiscal year 2014 budget that will help accelerate the resurgence of manufacturing and create jobs across the country.

AFL-CIO ranks ND last for deaths on the job

DICKINSON, N.D. – Protect yourself. That’s the best advice Barbara Allen has for workers, especially for those in the oil patch.