ECONOMY
From the editor's desk: Things could always be worse
Three of the nation’s lowest four metro unemployment rates are located in North Dakota and five of the nation’s top 12 metro unemployment rates are in either North Dakota or South Dakota. Not bad considering the national unemployment rate is hovering around 10 percent with many metros even higher.
March 08, 2010
Sanford-MeritCare merger has not resulted in layoffs
By Patrick Springer , February 26, 2010
Housing starts increase in Fargo-Moorhead despite economy, flood
By Press Release , January 28, 2010
North Dakota is the least economically stressed state in the nation
By James R. Johnson , January 12, 2010
Sioux Falls economy continues to diversify 
Three decades ago Sioux Falls was struggling through a severe national recession that gripped the city’s largely-agriculture-based economy and led to difficult times for the meat packing industry, manufacturing and retail trade.
By Ryan Schuster , December 07, 2009
Signs of recovery expected in 2010 as recession fades
One of the nation’s most painful recessions in recent memory is essentially over, according to economists. Many businesses in the region have expressed optimism about 2010 and expect to see a rebound in business. But the economic recovery is expected to be slow and marked with fits and starts.
By Ryan Schuster , December 07, 2009
COVER STORY: Smaller communities search for ways to stand out in economic development
Larger cities throughout the Northern Great Plains like Sioux Falls, Fargo and Bismarck continue to grab headlines for their relative economic strength in the midst of a recession. But recent research has indicated that a growing number of employers and workers are considering leaving congested major population centers in search of a simpler life in smaller communities with less crime and shorter commute times.
By Ryan Schuster , November 09, 2009
South Dakota’s favorable business climate helping to attract companies
South Dakota has the lowest per capita state taxes in the nation, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and the Milken Institute economic think tank ranked the state as having the lowest cost of doing business in the country in a 2007 report. Last year Forbes magazine and CNBC both ranked South Dakota as the best state for business.By Ryan Schuster , October 05, 2009
COVER STORY: Communities differ in use of economic development incentives to attract companies
myloeinarsongrafton.jpg)
Nationwide the use of incentives is intensifying, sweetening the pot for companies looking for prospective sites to house operations ranging from manufacturing to customer service and back office support. Many communities and states have upped the ante to win the economic development sweepstakes at all costs. While most cities in the region have been fairly conservative, some mostly smaller communities have been more aggressive in attempts to lure factories, jobs and increased tax revenue.
By Ryan Schuster , October 05, 2009
Economy facing a slow 'bathtub recovery'
It appears our economy is nearing the bottom of the recession, but it is important to realize that reaching the bottom doesn’t mean the recovery is at hand. This is especially true in rural America.
By Jack Geller , July 01, 2009
Economy offers opportunities for businesses
A down economy may be the right time to invest in equipment, infrastructure to prepare for the future.
By Lin Smithwick , July 01, 2009
Job losses linger
Seldom do economic indicators actually tell you what shape the economy is in when you look out the window.
By Jack Geller , May 30, 2009
Workforce shortages loom on the horizon
Before the recent wave of layoffs hit, attracting enough workers to the region was a major issue on the front burner in both North Dakota and South Dakota.
Current labor market conditions have eased those concerns for the time being, but workforce shortages remain a potential long-term impediment to growth as the region’s population continues to age.
By Ryan Schuster , May 30, 2009
Labor Force: Regional employment shows strength in face of national recession
-(2).jpg)
Despite a recent rash of layoffs at big employers like Microsoft, Bobcat, Polaris, Arctic Cat and DMI Industries, a number of companies in a handful of industries in the region are still hiring.
By Ryan Schuster , May 30, 2009
Sioux Falls job market remains strong
Sioux Falls was recently ranked as the top small metropolitan area in the nation for business and careers by Forbes.com. The city was also ranked in the top 30 in another recent listing of the nation’s top cities for business released by NewGeography.com in conjunction with Forbes that measured short- and long-term job growth.
By Ryan Schuster , May 30, 2009
Area Voices is a collection of posts from our community blogging tool www.areavoices.com. If you wish to start a blog sign up here www.areavoices.com. We may choose to feature your posts on http://www.prairiebizmag.com.
More manufacturers expect a better 2010
Well, this is hopeful news. Manufacturers in Minnesota are more optimistic about 2010 than they were in 2009, according to a survey of 500 manufacturing companies in the state. One quarter expect to see economic growth in 2010, compared to 19 percent last year. Forty-four percent expect their firm
Posted by: Candace Renalls on Feb 27, 2010 at 11:09 AM | Twin Ports BusinessUnemployment numbers show recovery has been tenuous
New unemployment data shows small increase from Duluth to the nation.
The increases are all less than three tenths of a percent, but underscore a tenuous recovery.
Duluth’s unemployment rate in
Need a haircut?
Chances are, more of us do these days. We're looking a bit shaggier. And those telltale roots? They're showing more. In an earlier blog posting this week, we told you how (go figure) jobs for manicures and pedicures has actually grown during the recession. Although mon
Posted by: Candace Renalls on Jan 19, 2010 at 8:27 PM | Twin Ports BusinessNow on Twitter
Since it's a new decade, it's time to catch up on the tech advancements we missed in the aughts. Without further ado, Twin Ports Business is now on Twitter. Here's the first tweet: "The latest business news and economic tidbits in Northeastern Minnesota from the Duluth News Tribune's Twin Po
Posted by: Andy Greder on Jan 13, 2010 at 1:20 PM | Twin Ports BusinessGas prices hit 15-month high
Just seven days into the new year, pump prices have surged past 2009 highs as winter storms and a flood of speculative money send oil prices higher. With the average gallon of gas is now a shade under $2.71, a typical motorist using 50 gallons of fuel a month will pay about $135 a month to fuel up.
Posted by: Andy Greder on Jan 7, 2010 at 12:30 PM | Twin Ports BusinessMining deaths reach record low
Mining deaths fell to an all-time low in 2009, according to preliminary data from the U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Adminstration. Deaths at metal and nonmetal mine deaths registered at 16 and coal mines had 18 deaths. A total of 34 people lost their lives in 2009, a drop from 5
Posted by: Andy Greder on Jan 5, 2010 at 8:59 AM | Twin Ports BusinessNational jobless rate sits at 10 percent
The nation's unemployment rate dropped to 10 percent in November and far fewer jobs were lost. The Labor Department says the economy shed 11,000 jobs last month, an improvement from October’s revised total of 111,000. That’s also much better than the 130,000 job losses that Wall Street
Posted by: Andy Greder on Dec 4, 2009 at 9:44 AM | Twin Ports BusinessSurvey suggests improving economy in Midwest
OMAHA, Neb. — For the third straight month, a survey of rural bankers in the Midwest and Plains suggests the weak economic conditions are strengthening, if slowly. A report issued Thursday by economist Ernie Goss of Creighton University says the overall index for the Rural Mainstreet economy
Posted by: Andy Greder on Nov 20, 2009 at 7:28 AM | Twin Ports Business
View your ad here! Cost effective targeted advertising.
Contextual advertising starting as low as $79/month. This includes targeted ad delivery and search results!
Add your business to the Marketplace »
RSS Feeds