Huntsville Advances Tax District Plan Focused on Von Braun Center
Huntsville is pursuing a nearly 3,700-acre tax district that could direct about $220 million toward Von Braun Center and other downtown projects.
Business & Economy
Jobs, labor, companies, prices, investment, markets, trade, agriculture, energy, and consumer economics.
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Census releases 2025 data on U.S. household finances
The Census Bureau’s 2025 Survey of Income and Program Participation adds updated national data on family finances, caregiving, education, health insurance, child care and food security.
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U.S. Payrolls Fell by 23,000 in July as Job Growth Turned Negative
U.S. nonfarm payroll employment fell by 23,000 in July, while the unemployment rate edged down to 4.1% as labor-force participation declined.
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Judge Pauses Paramount-Warner Merger Through Aug. 17
A federal judge has paused Paramount Skydance’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery while 12 states pursue an antitrust challenge to the approximately $81 billion deal.
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U.S. Payrolls Fall by 23,000, Complicating Fed Rate Debate
U.S. nonfarm payroll employment fell by 23,000 in July, while a scheduled inflation report became more important to the Federal Reserve’s policy outlook.
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White House Sets 50% Duty on Some Canadian Alcohol
A White House proclamation adds a 50% duty to specified Canadian alcoholic beverages entering the United States beginning Aug. 19, 2026.
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SBA seeks applications for $9 million small-business supply-chain grant program
The Small Business Administration opened a competition offering 20 grants of up to $500,000 to help small businesses address supply-chain constraints and expand production.
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Fed holds rates steady as officials split over persistent inflation
The Federal Reserve kept its federal funds target at 3.50% to 3.75% after its July meeting, while three officials favored higher rates and inflation remained above the Fed’s 2% target.
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Berkshire Hathaway reports $13 billion in second-quarter operating profit as Greg Abel deploys cash
Berkshire Hathaway posted stronger second-quarter operating results and invested about $10 billion in Alphabet as CEO Greg Abel began deploying cash.
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Federal Reserve: Credit-Card Borrowing Picked Up as Consumer Loan Costs Stayed High
Consumer-credit flows accelerated after a slower start to 2026, with the strongest increase in credit-card balances as auto-loan rates remained above 2019 levels.
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DOJ Trade Fraud Task Force Says Recoveries and Charged Losses Topped $1 Billion
The Justice Department said its Trade Fraud Task Force surpassed $1 billion in combined recoveries, penalties, forfeitures and publicly charged losses less than a year after its launch.
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Panel Built opens second McMinn County manufacturing facility in Etowah
Panel Built announced July 7, 2026, that it opened a second manufacturing facility in McMinn County, locating the operation in Etowah and expanding its steel-fabrication capacity.
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Sons Gaming launches in Morgan County with state rural-business support tied to Brush
Sons Gaming has launched in Morgan County with support from Colorado’s Rural Jump-Start program, with expected family entertainment and job creation tied to Brush.
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Duncan approves 16.5-year tax-increment district for new grocery, restaurant and retail development
The Duncan City Council approved a tax-increment district at Highway 81 and Plato Road planned for a national grocery store, restaurants and retail stores.
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Sam Dong Ohio announces $13 million Delaware expansion and 30 new jobs
Sam Dong Ohio announced a $13 million expansion in Delaware projected to create 30 new jobs, while the city’s Point Improvement Project moves toward an anticipated August 2026 completion.
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Agricultural investment announced for Gilman as local development discussions continue
A June 29 update from state Sen. Chris Balkema’s office identified a major agricultural investment in Gilman, while county records document separate discussions involving Scout Clean Energy.
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Columbia County announces Google-Georgia Power partnership on data-center costs
Columbia County says a new partnership with Google and Georgia Power will place restrictions on data-center growth and utility impacts to help protect local ratepayers.
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RINGANA Plans $85 Million Roanoke Headquarters
Austrian company RINGANA plans its first U.S. headquarters at Blue Ridge Commerce Park, with 435 projected jobs and $85 million in investment.
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Midland Sales-Tax Collections Reach $55.7 Million, Beat Budget
Midland collected $55.743 million in sales taxes through nine months of fiscal 2026, nearly 9% ahead of last year and $7.6 million above budget.
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Springfield council approves $32 million bond for Andy’s headquarters
The Springfield City Council approved a $32 million bond Aug. 10 tied to Andy’s Frozen Custard’s planned new headquarters in the city.
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U.S. Nonfarm Payrolls Fell by 23,000 in July, BLS Reports
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a 23,000-job decline in U.S. nonfarm payroll employment in July, adding to signs of weaker hiring momentum.
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USDA Opens $500 Million Fertilizer Expansion Program With Aug. 17 Deadline
The USDA is accepting applications for the FIELDS program, which will provide competitive cost-share awards for domestic fertilizer production and related infrastructure.