Delta County Board of Commissioners Meeting (9/1/2026): Parks, Bathrooms, Board Appointments, Aiport Advisory

Staying on top of local news is essential for keeping up with community developments. The area is focusing heavily on its parks, including recent upgrades such as a new bathhouse at the fairgrounds. Additionally, the airport is undergoing improvements, reconfiguration, and new board appointments.

Plans for a new dispatch center are also underway to help improve emergency response times and capacity. In other county news, the prosecuting attorney is now working remotely, several officials are attending an out-of-town conference, and work continues on local trail projects. Overall, local initiatives continue to move forward smoothly.

Delta County Board of Commissioners Meeting Summary

• Date & Location: Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 5:15 p.m., Delta County Service Center Boardroom.

• Attendance: Commissioners Melner, Johnson, Williams, Vanenheuvel, and Jensen were present.

Administrative & Operational Updates

• Federal Regulatory Changes: The Administrator reported on OMB-proposed changes under 2 CFR Part 200, highlighting potential administrative and financial impacts on county grants. MAC is advising outreach to federal legislators to delay the rule.

• Pioneer Trail Park Trailhead: Engineers determined the proposed non-motorized trail path connecting Escanaba, Wells Township, and Gladstone is feasible. Initial surveying using Hannahville 2% grant funds will begin.

• Park Emergency Response: Expressed appreciation to Brad Nelson and Joe Burby for assisting maintenance crews after a tornado struck O.B. Fuller Park.

• Fairgrounds Bathhouse: Announced completion of the DNR Trust Fund grant-funded bathhouse at the fairgrounds.

Board Actions & Motions Approved

• Minutes & Agenda: Approved August 18, 2026 meeting minutes and accepted the agenda with the addition of a Brownfield Authority appointment.

• Airport Advisory Board Structure: Adopted Option 2 to reconfigure the Airport Advisory Board into a 9-member body (2 County Commissioners, 2 at-large Delta County residents with specific skill sets, and 5 district-specific resident members).

• Board Appointments:

  • Airport Advisory Board: Appointed William Taylor and David Deno.

  • Construction & Zoning Board of Appeals: Appointed Rowan Hinsman.

  • Brownfield Authority: Appointed Rowan Hinsman.

• Engineering & Consulting Contracts: Awarded the Dispatch Center relocation and re-ventilation project to Matrix Consulting Engineers.

• Requests for Proposals (RFPs): Approved issuing RFPs for County Auditing Services (FY 2026–2028) and Investment Advisory Services for defined benefit accounts. Extended the submission deadline for the Opioid Task Force RFP to September 25, 2026.

• Administrative & Intergovernmental Actions:

  • Approved the 2026 Winter Tax Rate set at 3.6860 mills (L-429).

  • Approved an MDOT consent agreement ($600) for corner grading near the Chamber of Commerce.

  • Approved a Special Assistant Prosecuting Attorney contract for remote legal support.

  • Approved out-of-county travel for the UPACC Fall Conference (October 15–16, 2026).

  • Approved a Letter of Agreement (LOA) regarding courthouse food allowance.

• Tabled Items: Deferred consideration of the Veterans Affairs Committee bylaws amendments to the first meeting in October 2026 to allow for further definition of term limits and vacancy procedures.

Institution Employment Report by BoA: Cooling Labor and Rising Lower Income

The Institute Employment Report, August 2026, from the Bank of America Institute shows that the labor market is cooling a little, although it remains relatively healthy overall.

Payroll growth was 1.5% in August, down from 1.8% in July. At the same time, lower-income households saw after-tax wage growth of 4.7%. This is important because we need lower-income wages to rise substantially.

There are ways to improve this, but it would require a broader discussion about how jobs are created, in-house training, education, and changes to policies and rules that could help maximize employment. We could go down a rabbit hole discussing how to help people enter the labor force and move progressively upward, but that would require a much larger conversation. It's a human capital discussion...one we sort of haven't solved yet. 

Another interesting finding is that the previous K-shaped pattern in wage growth has reversed. Job switching has also increased, and workers who change jobs are apparently receiving larger pay increases. The pay increase associated with a job change reached 12.5% in July.

Overall, this is a pretty good report. There are some risks and signs of cooling, but the labor market remains relatively healthy, and the improvement in wage growth among lower-income workers is encouraging.

U.S. Labor Market Momentum Cools in August, While Lower-Income Wage Growth Improves

• Payroll growth slowed to 1.5% year-over-year in August, down from 1.8% in July.
• The labor market remained relatively healthy, despite slower growth.
• Unemployment payments showed little year-over-year change.
• Lower-income households saw after-tax wage growth of 4.7%.
• Higher-income households saw after-tax wage growth of 3.5%.
• This reversed the previous “K-shaped” wage-growth pattern.
• Job switching increased in July, especially among weekly-paid workers.
• Weekly-paid workers, often hourly employees, saw the largest increase in job changes.
• The average pay increase associated with changing jobs reached 12.5%, the highest level in more than three years.
• Rising job mobility and larger pay increases for lower-income workers may be helping narrow wage-growth differences.
• The report cautions that Bank of America’s data is based on selected, aggregated customer information and has limitations.

Bank of America Institute. (2026, September 3). The Institute employment report: August 2026. Bank of America. https://institute.bankofamerica.com/economic-insights/monthly-employment-report-august-2026.html

US Average Wages Rise in August 2026. [How Might That Apply to Rural Places like the UP.]

Private-sector wages continue to rise, although the pace remains relatively slow. Some of the highest-paying industries include finance, information, utilities, and mining and logging—industries that could be particularly relevant to the Upper Peninsula.

[You can think of how mining & logging for minerals and metals are needed, the utility potential of the area (i.e. bio fuel, hydro, thermal, solar, wind, coal, gas, etc.). Information as a digital nomads 4 season quality of life hot spot, and fostering local banks and expansion of both local and other markets. These are just examples but nice to think about.]

(Illustrative Only)
Representing
some industries
that appear high
paying that
include left
tech, trains, forest-tourism,
mining, ship engineer, etc.
[Meant only to think
of and if you can
think of other industries
and jobs that relate
to the UP that is great.]
Attracting industries
that can be clustered,
greatest growth
potential,
and high wages 
can help. We musn't
neglect our responsibilities
to society, the environment,
and to each other
in that process. 
These have value
beyone what we appreciate
fully at the moment. We 
can improve industry, 
lives, and community
at the same time. 
Full Bloom Delta County
Strategy Formation
Welfare Theorem
Systems as Needs

The region has a long history of mining and logging, and Escanaba offers an interesting combination of transportation assets, including a deep-water port and connections to regional industries along the Great Lakes as an underutilized distribution center. Attracting companies in mining, forestry, manufacturing, mining, or even shipbuilding could create higher-paying jobs and strengthen the local economy. [These are things just to think about. We are exploring potential options and can prune later.)

However, economic development must also consider environmental costs. The goal should not be to return to the environmentally damaging practices of the past. Instead, new businesses should be encouraged to use sustainable forestry, responsible mining, and other practices that protect natural resources. It should contribute to overall health as profit is only one of a couple of metrics societal stakeholders are using. 

For the Upper Peninsula, the opportunity may be in finding the right balance: attracting businesses that create good-paying jobs while also protecting the environment. [One might call growth and health development a type of Perpetual Sustainable Development where investment that creates profit and the overall environmental health rise together when reinvested. i.e. sustainable. The benefits of business investment can be maximized in some cases. Economic-Social-Environmental Resilience ]If companies can contribute to higher wages, economic growth, and environmental sustainability, the result could be a win-win for workers, businesses, and the region.

 U.S. Average Wages Continue to Rise in August 2026

• Average hourly earnings, private nonfarm workers: $37.75
• Average weekly earnings: $1,298.60
• Average hourly earnings increased from $36.62 in August 2025 to $37.75 in August 2026, an increase of about 3.1%.
• Average weekly earnings increased from $1,252.40 to $1,298.60 over the same period, an increase of about 3.7%. 

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2026, September 4). Table B-3. Average hourly and weekly earnings of all employees on private nonfarm payrolls by industry sector, seasonally adjusted. U.S. Department of Labor. BLS Table B-3

Supporting the Good Justice Can Do for The Economy and Society (The Allegory of the Clan)

A strong justice system provides important benefits to both society and the economy. Such a system must continually evaluate and improve itself, reorienting policies around shared social contracts and essential values while protecting individual human rights, civil rights, and property rights. When justice and law enforcement function effectively, they create greater stability, improve business relationships, encourage innovation, strengthen social interactions, and contribute to a greater sense of peace and security.

(Illustrative Only)

We must always support
what is good. 

These benefits provide an important contrast to our philosophical thought experiment, the Allegory of the Clan, which illustrates what can happen when a justice system fails to correct itself and justice is no longer its primary objective. Partisanship, racial or religious targeting, corruption, and the misuse of public resources for ideological purposes represent conditions that undermine both justice and social trust. The purpose of the allegory is therefore not simply to identify what can go wrong, but to help us recognize the principles and practices that must be corrected when they occur and avoided.

To understand opportunities for improvement, however, we first need an anchor point: an understanding of what a functioning justice system contributes to society. From an economic perspective, this can be viewed at the transactional level. When individuals and organizations understand what is appropriate, what is prohibited, and what consequences follow from their actions, the system creates greater consistency and accountability. These expectations influence how businesses operate, how businesses interact with one another, and how individuals interact with businesses. At its core, economics is about interactions, and those interactions function more effectively when people can rely on consistent rules and fair enforcement. 

Those who divide weaken us from the inside while those who draw us together and identify to solve problems strengthen the future and fosters the preservation of rights for the next generation. We solve problems by learning. It doesn't matter their race or religion in a merit based system that is in alignment with our generational striving. The current generation always owes the next generation upward next rung momentum. Those who are not trying to do that are not qualified to lead. Pick the best and brightest over the most connected. 

The founders of the society recognized the importance of establishing institutions capable of maintaining justice and protecting individual rights. We should always praise what is good and the vast majority of people doing good. Our responsibility today is not simply to inherit those institutions, but to serve as their stewards in preserving and advancing. This includes supporting effective justice and law enforcement while encouraging young people to view these fields as opportunities for public service. A strong justice system is therefore more than a mechanism for addressing wrongdoing; it is an essential foundation for economic activity, social stability, innovation, and individual freedom. ....and yes we don't always pay them well and we should think about that and societal resource allocation issues (and teachers). 

*The Allegory of the Clan is a hypothetical, philosophical, thought experiment so take with a grain of salt. You may come to any conclusion you wish. No right or wrong answer. It is ok to come up with alternative ideas. It is meant only to get you to think. 

Upholding Prosperity: The Economic Benefits of the Rule of Law

• The rule of law supports economic stability and growth.
• Strong legal systems protect property rights and contracts.
• Legal certainty encourages business investment and entrepreneurship.
• Fair competition promotes innovation and productivity.
• Effective institutions can reduce corruption and improve public spending.
• Equal access to justice supports broader economic participation.
• Overall, the rule of law provides an important foundation for sustainable prosperity.

Dettman, D. (2024). Upholding prosperity: The economic benefits of the rule of law. American Bar Association. https://www.americanbar.org/advocacy/global-programs/news/2024/upholding-prosperity-economic-benefits-rule-law/

Employment Situation August 2026-Surprising

It’s exciting, although maybe not quite as exciting as we originally thought. It’s becoming a little more exciting because payroll employment is doing better than expected. That’s a different metric pointing in a different direction than some of the other indicators. The other indicators were suggesting that things were stable but slow, while this one is saying, “You know, not bad.”

It also looks like the service industry and manufacturing are showing increases, which is interesting. I guess new orders could be part of that story, based on another public release showing that manufacturing new orders are up. Government education also added 42,000 jobs. So, we’ll see where this turns. It is just fun to watch. 

Employment Situation – August 2026

• Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 162,000 in August, while the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.1%.
• Food services and drinking places added 59,000 jobs, while local government education added 42,000 jobs.
• Manufacturing employment increased by 16,000 jobs and has risen by 58,000 since December 2025.
• Information employment declined by 23,000 jobs, with losses in computing infrastructure, data processing, web hosting, publishing, and broadcasting.
• Average hourly earnings increased 0.3% in August to $37.75, representing a 3.1% increase over the year.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2026, September 4). The employment situation—August 2026. U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm

Unemployment Insurance Claims Week Ending August 29 Show a Relatively Stable Labor Market

Unemployment claims rose slightly, by about 2,000, but remain at a relatively low level, suggesting some stability in the labor market.

Claims are also lower than they were a year ago, which is a positive sign. Still, the latest increase is something to watch. Weekly numbers naturally move up and down, so one small change does not necessarily signal a larger shift.

The key is to look for a trend over time. Understanding that trend requires looking at a range of economic data and how different factors affect the labor market. As more data comes in, those connections become clearer and provide a better picture of where the job market may be headed.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

• Initial unemployment claims rose to 206,000, up 2,000 from the previous week.The four-week average increased to 207,250, indicating a relatively stable labor market.
• Insured unemployment increased to 1.779 million, while the insured unemployment rate remained at 1.2%.
• Claims were lower than a year ago, suggesting continued labor-market stability.
• Continued claims totaled about 1.795 million, down 23,293 from the previous week.
• California reported the highest initial claims at 35,672.
• Overall, unemployment claims remain relatively contained, though recent increases should be monitored.

U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. (2026, September 3). Unemployment insurance weekly claims [News release]. U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.dol.gov/ui/data.pdf

US Trade in Goods and Services July 2026

 The latest U.S. international trade report for July 2026 presents some mixed signals. The trade deficit increased during the month, which is not necessarily good news, but there are some interesting details behind the numbers that deserve a closer look.

A significant portion of the increase was connected to technology-related imports, including computers and semiconductors. This raises an interesting question: Could some of these imports represent investment in new technology, equipment, and upgrades? It is too early to say, but it is certainly something worth considering as we look at the broader economic picture. Maybe not but time will tell.

Exports, meanwhile, decreased. The reasons are not immediately clear and could involve geopolitical issues, changing global demand, or other economic factors. More review would be needed to determine what is driving the decline.

The United States also continues to purchase substantial amounts of goods from overseas. Many of these products could potentially be manufactured domestically, raising questions about how to do this. (Its not that we have to produce all the products we consume but we should be strategic about the type of industries we foster. There may be a place for structured industry development and organic industry development.)

(Illustrative Only)
Reviewing
the trade balances
can lead to 
greater market knowledge. 
Solutions to 
market problems.

Still, there is a silver lining. The overall trade deficit for the year-to-date period was 29.6% lower than during the same period in 2025. So while the July numbers are not particularly encouraging, the longer-term picture shows some improvement. At the same time, the increase in technology-related imports may indicate that investment and upgrading are taking place behind the scenes. Maybe not?

For now, the numbers leave us with more questions than answers—but that is exactly why it will be important to watch the trends over the coming months.

U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services, July 2026

• The U.S. trade deficit increased to $88.6 billion in July.
• Exports decreased by $6.6 billion to $310.7 billion.
• Imports increased by $10.8 billion to $399.3 billion.
• The goods deficit rose to $119.6 billion, while the services surplus reached $31.0 billion.
• Year-to-date, the trade deficit was 29.6% lower than the same period in 2025.

U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. (2026, September 3). U.S. international trade in goods and services, July 2026. BEA report