U.S.-Jordan reciprocal trade agreement announced July 21: impact on exporters
July 21: White House and USTR announce a U.S.-Jordan reciprocal trade deal promising duty-free access and less customs and licensing friction for U.S. exporters.
Biz
-
-
Higher Wages Won’t Crash the Economy
The American economy already produces enough value to pay working people substantially more. A more balanced division of corporate income would reduce some profit margins, executive awards and shareholder distributions, but it would not require eliminating profits or capital returns. It would move the economy closer to the arrangement that prevailed before the shareholder-first model became dominant.
-
Crawford Bay redevelopment fast-tracks Portsmouth proposals: RFP bids due Aug. 31
Portsmouth’s Crawford Bay waterfront project is moving into a second-phase RFP, with proposals due Aug. 31.
-
Omaha Inland Port Authority unveils HQ, innovation district plans in north Omaha
Omaha NE – The Inland Port Authority unveiled an HQ and “innovation district” near Ames and 28th, pairing 3D-printed homebuilding with new housing and jobs.
-
Beef-a-Roo shutdowns hit Loves Park-area stores; workers report pay delays
Loves Park IL – Beef-a-Roo service disruptions reported July 2 included stores not taking orders, plus drive-thru limits, while workers later raised pay timing concerns.
-
HHS opens more than $281 million in addiction and mental-health grants
HHS opened more than $281 million in SAMHSA grant opportunities for treatment, schools, recovery and overdose response across the country.
-
Fullscript leases 171,862 sq. ft. at Chandler Airpark 202—what’s next
Chandler says Fullscript leased 171,862 square feet at Chandler Airpark 202 and will relocate employees from its existing Phoenix location to Chandler, citing demand for Class A industrial space.
-
Goldhofer plant brings 80 jobs to Catawba County
Goldhofer will build its first North American plant in Hickory, bringing 80 jobs and a county incentive deal tied to 2030 targets.
-
Raleigh approves Atlantic Union Bank naming rights for convention center
Raleigh City Council approved the Atlantic Union Bank naming-rights deal for the convention center, with the downtown venue still set for expansion.
-
Small employers lag behind the flat JOLTS headline
United States Small Business and Main Street Economy – May job openings were flat overall, but firms with 1 to 9 workers saw openings and hires fall.
-
USDA says grocery costs will keep rising, with beef still a pressure point
United States Consumer Costs and Household Budgets – USDA’s June outlook says grocery prices should keep edging up in 2026, with beef remaining one of the biggest household-budget pressure points. ([ers.usda.gov](https://ers.usda.gov/data-products/food-price-outlook/summary-findings?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000618&utm_source=openai))
-
USMCA review adds uncertainty for Laredo trade economy
Laredo businesses are facing fresh uncertainty after Washington said it won’t renew USMCA in its current form, even as the pact stays in force.
-
Los Angeles approves Fourth & Central project near Skid Row and the Arts District
Los Angeles City Council approved Fourth & Central on June 30 and the clerk sent the file to the mayor on July 1, putting the 1,589-unit downtown project on the mayor’s desk until July 13.
-
CapMetro strike vote puts Austin bus riders on alert
Austin TX – CapMetro bus workers backed a 99.5% strike authorization vote, but no walkout has started. Riders should watch for service updates if talks stay stuck.
-
U.S. consumers kept spending in May, but inflation stayed sticky above 4%
United States Small Business and Main Street Economy – May spending rose 0.7% and the PCE price index was 4.1% higher than a year ago, keeping pressure on Main Street budgets and Fed watchers.
-
New Orleans opens grants for commissary kitchens and green training
New Orleans LA – The city opened two grant rounds on June 29: one for Orleans Parish commissary kitchens and one for green infrastructure workforce training providers.
-
Essence Fest fills New Orleans as renewal talks continue
New Orleans LA – Essence Fest is drawing heavy crowds, hotel demand and downtown traffic over the July 4 weekend as city leaders and organizers negotiate what comes next.
-
Austin names Public Works LLC as recommended awardee for efficiency assessment
Austin TX – The city has picked Public Works LLC for its recurring efficiency assessment, but the contract still needs City Council approval. ([austintexas.gov](https://www.austintexas.gov/communications/news/city-austin-announces-public-works-llc-recommended-awardee-conduct-sweeping))
-
Wawa to open in Tipp City July 9 as traffic concerns linger
Tipp City OH – Wawa’s first Miami County store is scheduled to open July 9 at 65 W. Kessler-Cowlesville Road, after planning-board traffic concerns.
-
New Orleans council advances Omni hotel zoning, but tax break fight remains
New Orleans LA – Preliminary council approval on June 24 moved the proposed Omni headquarters hotel forward, but the zoning ordinance and tax incentive package still need more action.
-
Fort Payne Dunkin briefly closed after sewage backup
Fort Payne AL – ADPH listed the Glenn Boulevard Dunkin on June 18 after a sewage backup in the kitchen. The store’s locator now shows it open again.
-
Homestead promotes July 19 World Cup fan zone and watch-party network
Homestead FL – A June 22 city announcement set up a citywide watch-party network and a July 19 Losner Park Fan Zone to steer World Cup visitors toward local businesses.
