Minnesota's oldest iron-ore mine has been awarded a $50,000 grant. Soudan Mine Underground State Park officials say they plan to use the money to build new recreation shelters, information kiosks and a facility to host its geo-caching program.

The Basilica of St. Mary is just one of the 25 metro sites receiving preservation grants from Partners in Preservation. The organization funds restoration of historical sites throughout the nation and awarded the Minneapolis cathedral over $100,000.

The cathedral was up against 25 other recognizable sites for the chance at a $100,000 grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation to use towards restoration projects. Nearly 28,000 people voted.

The Business Journal reports the metro ranks 8th in the nation when it comes to the number of jobs added in the last year. Between August of 2010 and August of 2011, the Twin Cities added more than 26,000 jobs. For the record, Houston topped that list, adding 65,00 news jobs.

The cable company is adding 150 jobs in St. Paul, which is the second big hiring effort so far this year. In April, Comcast announced plans to hire 450 people for its Minnetonka facility. A company executive tells Twin Cities Business that many of those jobs are still open.

Delta Airlines' primary headquarters and hub in Atlanta is flourishing. Not so at other hub cities. Since Delta absorbed Northwest Airlines, the Twin Cities area has lost 3,000 jobs associated with the carrier. In Memphis the number of flights has been nearly halved, pushing up air fares to the second highest in the nation. Behind Cincinnati. Which is also a Delta hub.

A $1 million federal grant is helping turn the historic library into a much-needed computer access and job training facility. Groundbreaking for the jobs center is set for next year.