I revisit some discussions about employment and the population count in Grand Forks. The fact is we need people in Grand Forks if we want labor market dynamics to change. This was true before COVID, and remains true now.
With policy discussions breaking down I thought it made sense to look at the benefits payouts in North Dakota as part of an ongoing look at labor markets here.
North Dakota labor markets are going to be a key to deciding the future course of the economy in the state. I discuss the big picture for just a few measures and it is not great news.
I take a look at the local data and the issue of the level of benefits compared to local wages.
I offer up some other ways to look at the scale of the problem of unemployment claims in North Dakota in the hopes of helping policy discussions.