BUSINESS

Minnesota unemployment rate continues to drop in December

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota's unemployment rate continued to move downward in December to a rate of 5.7 percent. State officials say it's now lower than at any time since the September 2008 financial collapse.

By Associated Press , January 19, 2012

Skybridge marketing firm looks to expand with up to 200 jobs in Bemidji

Bemidji tops several regional communities, including Fargo and Grand Forks, for call center
A Minnesota-based company has chosen Bemidji for expanding its marketing business and adding up to 200 new jobs in the region.

By Steve Wagner , January 19, 2012

Target suspends effort to sell card portfolio

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Target Corp. is temporarily suspending its efforts to sell the portfolio that handles the balances credit cardholders owe the company, but plans to resume the talks with potential buyers later this year.

By Associated Press , January 18, 2012

State Bank holding company buying First National

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — The holding company that owns State Bank & Trust in Fargo is in the process of buying First National Bank, which has locations in the Minnesota cities of Hawley and Dilworth.

By Associated Press , January 18, 2012

Minnesota company plans to make TVs in Michigan

CANTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — A Minnesota electronics company plans to manufacture flat-screen televisions at a plant in suburban Detroit under a partnership with a Michigan-based business.

By Associated Press , January 17, 2012

Bemidji Area Chamber Ambassadors visit Battery Wholesale Inc. Outlet Store

Bemidji Area Chamber Ambassadors welcome new business Battery Wholesale Inc. Outlet Store to Bemidji. Located at 750 Paul Bunyan Drive NW, Bemidji, the business offers a variety of batteries from watch batteries to commercial batteries, including batteries for cell phones, computers and cars. If you don’t have it, they will order it for you. From left are Preston Olson, part-time salesperson, Assistant Store Manager Austin Lucas, Regional Store Manager LeRoy Gabrielson, Ambassadors Rachel Johnson, Sylvia Wildgen, Tracy Bailey, Benita Dingman, Janice Dagen, Josh Wilde, Valeri Johnson and Barb Mountain.

January 15, 2012

Bemidji Area Chamber Ambassadors visit Ann’s Quilt Cottage

Bemidji Area Chamber Ambassadors congratulate Alison Leas and Barb Campbell on opening their new business, Ann’s Quilt Cottage. Ann’s Quilt Cottage is located at 705 Washington Ave. S. in Bemidji and offers quilt classes, fabric, notions, patterns, hand stitchery, wool, wool felt, sewing kits and much more. From left are Ambassadors Barb Treat and Benita Dingman, co-owners Alison Leas and Barb Campbell and Ambassadors Kim Nelson and Janice Dagen.

January 15, 2012

KY's Best Wild Rice donates wild rice to Bemidji Community Food Shelf

KC’s Best Wild Rice of Bemidji donated 576 pounds of soup grade Canadian lake wild rice to the Bemidji Community Food Shelf. From left are Jack Judkins of the Food Shelf with Joy and Kent Bahr of KC’s Best Wild Rice. Submitted Photo

January 15, 2012

Bemidji auto dealers donate $12,500 to NTC auto program

Members of the Bemidji Area Auto Dealers Association (Chrysler, Honda, GM, Ford and Toyota) presented the Northwest Technical College Foundation with a $12,500 donation to NTC automotive services program to purchase new Hunter computerized alignment equipment. From left are Jim Clark, interim dean of academics; Roger Pfannenstein, Foundation member; Tim Dondelinger, Dealers Association member; Howie Zetah, Foundation president; Mark Johnson, auto service instructor; Chet Berg, Jim Fankhanel and Todd Lowth, Dealers Association members; and, behind them, Danny Paddock, auto services instructor. Submitted Photo

January 15, 2012

Thrivent Financial helps Evergreen

The Beltrami County Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans donated $1,000 to Evergreen Youth & Family Services in Bemidji to fund food supplies for shelter clients. Pictured reviewing some of the food purchases are, from left, Bill Maddox, senior youth counselor with the Evergreen Shelter Program; Bonnie Jevning, Thrivent Community Service Team director; and Gary Russell, program director of Evergreen Shelter Program. As of Nov. 30, $16,710 has been donated back to the community through the Beltrami County Chapter of Thrivent Financial for addressing community needs. Members who own Thrivent Financial products help make this support possible. Submitted Photo

January 15, 2012

Crowd too big, Beijing Apple store cancels sale

BEIJING (AP) — Raw eggs splattered and streaked the gleaming windows of Beijing's Apple store Friday, hurled by angry and frustrated shoppers when the launch of the iPhone 4S was canceled due to fears over the size of the crowd.

By Associated Press , January 13, 2012

Response filed to TV anchorwoman lawsuit

FARGO, N.D. — The parent company for two Fargo TV stations is rejecting claims of gender and age discrimination by a former news anchorwoman.

By Forum Communications Co. report , January 12, 2012

Target plans to sell specialty shop products

NEW YORK (AP) — Target says it will team up with owners of specialty shops to create affordable, limited edition merchandise for sale online and at its stores in a bid to attract more customers and distinguish itself from rivals.

By Associated Press , January 12, 2012

Dayton, DFL leaders say tax breaks would spur job growth

ST. PAUL -- Gov. Mark Dayton and Democratic legislative leaders say cutting a business’s taxes for hiring people and passing a large public works bill would create thousands of Minnesota jobs.

By Don Davis , January 11, 2012

Pepsi Beverages pays $3.1M in racial bias case

WASHINGTON (AP) — Pepsi Beverages Co. will pay $3.1 million to settle federal charges of race discrimination for using criminal background checks to screen out job applicants — even if they weren't convicted of a crime.

By Associated Press , January 11, 2012