The numbers game

1.2

The amount, in millions, that Counter has raised in funding for its highnutrition frozen food selection created in partnership with health and wellness content creators. The Bentonville, Arkansas brand, founded by former Walmart executives Jeff Ferrell and Benn Manning, plans to roll out to Sam’s Club stores this summer and include meals like protein waffles, chicken bites, burritos.

Walter G. Bumphus, President and CEO of the American Association of Community Colleges, says community colleges are uniquely qualified to provide the skills education necessary to fill the workforce pipeline. "The commitment to skilled trades education in our community colleges by the Lowe's Foundation will help thousands of hard-working individuals access and enter stable, fulfilling careers in fields like electrical, plumbing, HVAC, construction, appliance repair and carpentry."

Today, there are more than 10 million students—almost half of all US undergraduates—enrolled in the associate-degree granting institutions we represent. Bumphus says these institutions are deeply ingrained in their communities and well-placed to drive an increased interest in skilled trades training.

The Lowe's Foundation is running two separate annual grant application cycles. The first will focus on community and technical colleges with innovative skilled trades education programs for post-secondary aged adults.

For more information, visit Lowes.com/ Foundation CCR

14.2

The number of hotels in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro, according to a Lodging Econometrics report. The pipeline will include more than 20,790 rooms, the highest number in the US. Among the properties that will soon be opening their doors are Le Meridien-Downtown, a 230-room historic hotel with a rooftop bar and pool deck, and the Crescent Fort Worth-Cultural District, a $250 million undertaking that features a 200-room boutique hotel, along with office space and residential units.

The percentage increase of revenue per available room rates in February, according to STR.

The average daily rate saw a 17.7% increase to $152. Tampa, Florida had the highest occupancy level at 82.7% among the top 25 markets, while Chicago, St. Louis and San Francisco reported the lowest rates.