Business News: ND jobs…EGF park position & recall

The IRS is launching an effort to crack down on 1,600 millionaires and 75 large business partnerships that owe hundreds of millions of dollars in past due taxes. IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel says that with a boost in federal funding and the help of artificial intelligence tools, the agency has new means of targeting rich people who’ve “cut corners” on their taxes.

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North Dakota had more available job openings in August compared to the prior month – but less than one year ago.  The Labor Market Information Center says there were a total of 14,016 openings last month.  That’s up 2.7% from July and is down 19.5% from the same time a year ago.

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In Minnesota, average hourly wages for all private sector workers increased 83 cents to $36.18 from June to July. Over the year average hourly earnings increased $1.80, up 5.2%. The Consumer Price Index, a common measure of inflation, rose 3.2% over the year.

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The City of East Grand Forks has received seven applications for the open position of Park and Rec Superintendent.  The Civil Service Board will begin looking over the candidates this week.  Finalists will go to the city council the following week.  Public Works Supervisor Jeremy King is filling the post on an interim basis after Reid Huttunen was hired as city manager.

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The Grand Forks Library is among nine book buildings around the state to receive grant dollars for summer reading and engagement activities.  Public libraries in Beulah, Dickinson, Grand Forks and Mandan, will receive $50,000 each.  The Carrington, New Town, Williston and Divide County libraries are being awarded $35,000 each. The Cando Community Library will receive $20,000.

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The City of Grand Forks has issued as building permit for construction of the Les Schwab Tire Center at 3770 32nd Avenue South.  It’s the site of the former Denny’s Restaurant which was razed last month.  The permit list the construction price-tag at $4.4 million dollars.

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Prodosh Simlai, head of the department of economics and finance in the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration at the University of North Dakota, has been appointed to a term on the North Dakota State Investment Board.  Simlai has been a faculty member at UND since 2007.  The term is for five years.

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The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is leading a business development mission to Japan through September 15.   The delegation will engage with a number of Japanese agricultural businesses and will meet with USDA Agricultural Trade Office.  Japan is Minnesota’s fourth largest export market, representing 8% of Minnesota’s food and agricultural exports (2021), or $752 million.

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Federal regulators say more than 85,000 highchairs sold at major retailers across North America are being recalled due to a fall hazard.  Toy and nursey product company TOMY International Inc. is recalling about 83,000 of its Boon Flair and Flair Elite Highchairs sold in the U.S. and another 2,850 in Canada. According to this week’s recall notice, the bolts securing the seats on the highchairs can loosen and allow the seat to detach from its pedestal.

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A meat processing company in Minnesota will pay $300,000 in penalties for employing children as young as 13 to work in hazardous conditions. The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry and Tony Downs Food Company signed a consent order Friday following an investigation. The agency says the company employed at least eight children ranging from ages 14 to 17. It says other employees were also hired before they were 18. The minors allegedly performed such duties as operating meat grinders, ovens and forklifts.

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Tom Brady is putting on a Delta Air Lines uniform, at least figuratively. Delta has agreed to bring the former quarterback on board as a long-term strategic adviser. Financial terms of the partnership aren’t being disclosed. Delta says Brady will help with marketing and also work on developing training and teamwork tools for airline employees.