News and Media

Red Wing Port Authority and the Small Business Development Center Bring Free Business Workshops to Small Business Owners

Sunday, December 29, 2019

The Red Wing Port Authority and the Small Business Development Center of Minnesota joined forces to put together five free workshops for anyone interested in starting a business. The idea for the endeavor began when Shari Chorney, Port Authority Manager, heard from many clients that the area needed more educational resources for basic business 101. Local Business Owners and the Small Business Development Center Partner with Red Wing Port Authority to Lead Discussions Chorney has been working with the Red Wing Port Authority for 20 years. She has an undergraduate degree in Business Management and a Masters in Organizational Leadership from St...

6 Minnesota Social Impact Startups You Need to Know

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Minnesota’s profile as an innovator in social entrepreneurship is on the rise, and others are taking notice. Halcyon, a Washington, D.C.-based incubator, ranked the Twin Cities as No. 4 on its list of top ecosystems for impact entrepreneurs. Boston came in at No. 1 with San Francisco and Seattle placing in second and third respectively. Minneapolis and St. Paul moved up eight spots from the previous year’s Halcyon report. The Cities received high marks for quality of life (second overall) and human capital (fourth overall). Read full article.

In Minnesota, A Marriage Between Business Giants And Growing Startups

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

How this Midwest state has developed a unique business ecosystem where enterprises and small businesses work together. Home to 17 Fortune 500 companies, it’s no surprise Minnesota has been referred to as a “headquarters economy.” Target is headquartered here, and so are General Mills and Best Buy. The state’s headquarters economy is diverse, with enterprise companies representing a cross-section of industries, including healthcare, retail, agriculture, manufacturing, financial services, medical devices, food production, bioscience, energy, and more. Read full article.

From blankets to phone cases, this Minnesota designer creates 'Ojibwe contemporary art for all'

Sunday, December 08, 2019

There’s often a strawberry in the striking floral designs that Sarah Agaton Howes creates. For the Anishinaabe entrepreneur, teacher and community organizer, the little red berry is a signature of sorts, a symbol of how she tries to live her life. “It’s cute, but it has a story, you know?” said Howes, a member of the Fond du Lac Nation. “The strawberry was always this common thread throughout my work, because the word in Ojibwe for strawberry is ode’imin — ‘ode’ is your heart, and ‘min’ is a berry. We have all these stories about leading your heart way, living your heart way.” Read ful...

BRICKS AND CLICKS KEY TO SMALL BUSINESS SUCCESS

Saturday, December 07, 2019

Small Business Saturday brings to mind the notion of bricks vs. clicks. Yes, online shopping can pose a challenge to bricks and mortar stores. But University of Minnesota professor says successful retailers incorporate both bricks and clicks. Read full article.

SBA Minnesota’s First Female Director Nancy Libersky is Retiring

Friday, December 06, 2019

On Dec. 20, Libersky will wrap up a decade of service as the director of the Minnesota District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration. The Minnesota District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that director Nancy Libersky is retiring after nearly a decade on the job and 30 years total with the SBA. “It just feels like a good time,” says Libersky, 66. “I have given my best as a civil servant, and I have really loved being able to help small businesses reach their pinnacle… and also to really help with the economy so much.” Libersky’s tenure as distric...

Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation awards $101,740 in economic impact grants

Thursday, December 05, 2019

Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) recently approved seven grants totaling $101,740 to support organizations, units of government and public institutions in SMIF’s 20-county region. The Economic Impact Grant Program seeks to support current or future business growth, access or expansion of resources to underrepresented populations, and/or grow the community’s ability to embrace and develop a grow-your-own community culture. Read full article.

Low unemployment is good news, but tricky for some small businesses

Wednesday, December 04, 2019

ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) — With the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Minnesota at 3.2% job seekers can get their pick of the opportunities out there. However, that also means a challenging time especially for small business employers to find the best or sometimes any employees. Read full article.

'Without strong broadband, rural communities will be left behind': Minnesotans tell Congress

Monday, December 02, 2019

WASHINGTON — A pair of Minnesota business development leaders shared with members of Congress effective efforts they'd taken to boost broadband access in their communities and urged the panel build out the infrastructure that helps people connect to the internet. The comments came as the U.S. House Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy and Credit discussed broadband access in rural America and what could be done to connect more people to the internet. Read full article.

Broadband 'moonshot' has rural Minnesotans hopeful

Sunday, December 01, 2019

Rural internet service is on officials' radar, but much work remains. INTERNATIONAL FALLS, Minn. – After more than 30 years of doing business in this longtime mill town, Optum Health plans to close its health care claims office this summer. The good news is the company’s 90 workers can keep their jobs. The bad news is that offer is good only if they’re able to work remotely. And those who live outside the city limits may not have access to the high-speed internet service they’d need to keep earning a company paycheck. Read full article.

MN startup takes innovative approach to dental health in dogs, humans

Sunday, December 01, 2019

After her grandmother and rescue dog had health issues because of dental disease, Emily Stein came up with a now-patented formula to help. MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota — When looking at health, Emily Stein starts with the mouth. Stein, a microbiologist and entrepreneur, is focused on tackling the root cause of dental disease. It all started when Stein was studying at Stanford and her grandmother was living in an assisted living facility in Wisconsin. Stein's grandmother's rheumatoid arthritis was making it hard for her to brush her teeth. It led to several tooth extractions, followed by a stroke. Read full article.

Otto Bremer Trust awards $682,455 in grants to organizations in SE Minnesota

Sunday, December 01, 2019

SAINT PAUL — The Otto Bremer Trust has awarded $12,855,616 in grants and program-related investments as part of its most recent grantmaking cycle. “The Otto Bremer Trust is proud to continue investing in a broad range of programs and organizations that are making a positive impact in people’s lives across the region,” said Brian Lipschultz, Co-CEO and Trustee, OBT. “Partnering in this way is at the core of our continued long-term commitment to the Upper Midwest and exactly what Otto Bremer envisioned 75 years ago when he saw a need to help communities prosper.” Read full article.

Dan's News and Views Blog: November-December 2019

Friday, November 08, 2019

St. James Hotel Renovations Continue The Veranda Patio renovation in spring 2019 was the beginning of a five-year plan to bring the St. James to new heights. Starting in December 2019, The Veranda Restaurant will undergo major renovations to follow the patio’s look of modern sophistication and class. In addition to restoration of The Veranda, a tasting room separate from the restaurant is also being added. Work will begin early December through spring 2020. The renderings below show what the updated restaurant and tasting room will look like when completed. Red Wing’s Mayo Clinic Health System Recognized For the fourth consecutive year, May...

Celebrate Manufacturers Month with Events in the Red Wing Area Throughout October

Wednesday, October 09, 2019

In celebration of Manufacturers Month, the Red Wing Area Chamber of Commerce has developed a full schedule of exciting activities to highlight the importance of manufacturers. Each year in October, local area manufacturers and the contributions they add to our community are spotlighted. There will be events throughout the month of October, including the Annual Manufacturing Appreciation Luncheon, the 12th Annual Business Expo, a Trivia Night, and educational seminars. There is also a full schedule of local manufacturer factory tours! All local manufacturers and their supporters are invited to attend the events. Annual Manufacturing Appreciation Luncheon The Chamber, along with the Re...

September is Workforce Development Month

Monday, September 09, 2019

Governor Walz declared September as Workforce Development Month in the State of Minnesota. At DEED, we are kicking off a month-long series of events to examine and address the opportunities and challenges in growing Minnesota's workforce. Minnesota has a lot to be proud of w hen it comes to our state's workforce. We reached 3,108,951 total jobs in June and have added 348,054 new jobs since 2011. Wages have also increased by 24.1% during that same time period. But we know that challenges exist. Businesses are struggling to find and retain workers, and our state currently has nearly 137,000 vacant positions that need t...

Minnesota Exports at $5.7 Billion in Second Quarter

Friday, September 06, 2019

Exports fell four percent between the second quarters of 2018 and 2019 ST. PAUL – Sales of Minnesota agriculture, mining and manufacturing exports from Minnesota fell 4% between the second quarters of 2018 and 2019 to $5.7 billion, according to a report released by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). U.S. exports fell by 3% during the same period. Minnesota exports fell in North America (down 6%), Asia (down 4%) and Central & South America (down 19%). However, exports increased to selected nations such as Japan (up 6%), Germany (up 8%) and Australia (up 18%). “Minnesota is committed to unleashing economic opportunitie...

Tech Startups: The FCC continues to close the digital divide with $121M in funding to connect and expand broadband internet to rural homes and businesses in 16 US states

Friday, September 06, 2019

EXCERPT: “The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced it has authorized over $121 million in funding over the next decade to expand broadband to 36,579 unserved rural homes and businesses in 16 states, representing the fourth wave of support from last year’s successful Connect America Fund Phase II auction. Read full article.

Study shows Minneapolis is a good place to retire

Thursday, September 05, 2019

(Minneapolis MN-) With only 23 percent of Americans reporting that they are “very confident” they will have enough money for retirement, the personal-finance website WalletHub released its report on 2019’s Best & Worst Places to Retire. To help Americans plan for a comfortable retirement without breaking the bank, WalletHub compared more than 180 U.S. cities across 46 key measures of affordability, quality of life, health care and availability of recreational activities. The data set ranges from cost of living to retired taxpayer-friendliness to share of the population aged 65 and older. Read full article.

PFA Awards?$7.5 Million?in two Greater Minnesota Communities

Tuesday, September 03, 2019

Le Sueur County and the City of Pipestone to receive awards for water infrastructure projects ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (PFA) announced that Le Sueur County and the City of Pipestone will both receive awards for water infrastructure projects. “These water projects will protect Minnesota’s waterways and provide reliable water systems,” said Governor Tim Walz. “This is a perfect example of how state programs can help protect natural resources and improve infrastructure.” “Making sure Minnesotans have access to water is one of the most important responsibilities of government.” said Steve Grove, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economi...

NYT: Hey, College Graduates: Don’t Dismiss Rural America

Monday, September 02, 2019

And in related news, this from The New York Times… EXCERPT: “When I talk to undergraduate students about their postgraduate plans … the answer inevitably reveals a common assumption: Big cities are where highly educated people must go to succeed economically and socially….But these preconceptions are not only incorrect, they are also unduly limiting the opportunities of new college graduates…. Read full article.

Recognizing Success in Foreign Markets

Thursday, August 22, 2019

We're pleased to announce that the Minnesota Trade Office is accepting nominations for the 33rd Governor's International Trade Awards. These awards honor Minnesota companies that have shown exceptional progress and success in foreign markets and recognize the tremendous positive impact that exports and trade have on the state's overall economy.?Last year, we reached a record-high: Minnesota businesses exported $23 billion worth of goods to countries all over the world. We'll be accepting nominations for the Governor's International Trade Awards until Friday, September 13, 2019. The winners will be recognized at an event on Friday, October 11. Read full article.

Help Lead Our Workforce Development Grantmaking Center of Excellence

Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Earlier in the year, we rolled out a plan to make our competitive grantmaking processes more transparent, fast and fair. Now we’re searching for a director of Employment and Training Programs who can get behind these processes, work strategically and thoughtfully with state and federal partners, and build a center of excellence in grantmaking that will be central to Minnesota’s workforce development needs. We're looking for a proven leader, who knows Minnesota's workforce development, economic development and education policies and programs inside and out. Read full article.

Dan’s News & Views Blog July - August 2019

Thursday, August 08, 2019

Mid-Year 2019 – Building Construction Activity Through the second quarter of 2019 (6 months), the City of Red Wing’s building construction activity is ahead of the same 6-month time period in 2018, and examples of construction activity follows: Total permit valuation in 2019 = $24.3 million compared to $20.3 million in 2018. Total residential valuation in 2019 = $13.8 million compared to $7.2 million in 2018. Total commercial/industrial valuation in 2019 = $4.5 million compared to $4.3 million in 2018. Total new construction valuation in 2019 = $11.5 million compared to $7.7 million in 2018. Anytime Fitness (1105 Bench Street). Red Wing Construction began a ne...

Regional Reports: The Turning Tides of Red Wing

Monday, August 05, 2019

The old, established river city is crafting a future while maintaining historic traditions. It’s easy to think of Red Wing as little more than a picturesque town on the Mississippi downriver from St. Paul. And that picture isn’t exactly wrong. Red Wing’s downtown has charm. There are shops, restaurants, and the venerable St. James Hotel. But there’s much more to Red Wing than historic charm. The city of 16,572 is also home to a remarkable diversity of businesses. About 21 percent of all jobs in Red Wing are in manufacturing, a sector that includes famed “craft manufacturers” Red Wing Shoes and Red Win...

Red Wing’s Working Waterway

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Did you know that the Mississippi River facilitates the transport of more than 50 percent of Minnesota’s agricultural exports? Commercially navigable waterways, like the Mississippi and its related infrastructure, enable multimodal freight transportation and make the state more economically competitive. Red Wing is one of four river ports in the state. There were 1,057,372 tons of commodities moved through our port in 2016. Transporting goods by river has a number of advantages. Waterways take stress off overburdened highways and railways. Barges are more fuel-efficient and have less environmental impact than trucks and trains. One standard barge tow can carry 216 rail car...

Dan's News & Views Blog: March/April 2019

Wednesday, March 27, 2019

The Anderson Center Photo Credit: Wendy Amundson The Anderson Center’s historic water tower is known as a prominent landmark in Red Wing. Built in 1915, the tower is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Recently, the Anderson Center secured a $107,500 grant from the Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Program to repair and prevent future damage to the tower’s balcony. Work on the balcony is expected to begin late spring and be completed by the end of 2019. A portion of the project cost is covered by a three-year grant from the Red Wing Area Fund. Named one of the to...

You Can Improve the Economy of Our Communities by Shopping Local

Monday, November 04, 2019

November 30 is the 10th annual Small Business Saturday, a shopping holiday that encourages consumers to support small, local and independent businesses instead of spending money online or in big box stores. In preparation for Small Business Saturday, the 18th Annual Holiday Stroll will take place on afternoon of Black Friday, November 29. Stores will be open from 3pm-9pm, offering holiday discounts and refreshments. See Santa and Mrs. Claus, baby reindeer and fireworks in the beautifully decorated downtown district. Following the holiday stroll, consumers are welcome back to local businesses on Saturday to finish holiday shopping and support the local economy. Th...

Dan's News & Views: May/June 2019

Tuesday, June 11, 2019

National Preservation Month May is National Preservation Month, making it the perfect time to honor and explore historic places. To help celebrate, the Red Wing Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) annually presents its Awards of Merit to individuals, institutions, and businesses who have been involved in exceptional local historic preservation projects. This year, the HPC presented the Award of Merit to the City of Red Wing and the Sheldon Theater for the recently completed interior and exterior renovation of the T.B Sheldon Memorial Auditorium. The project, which spanned approximately seven years, addressed needed exterior maintenance and restoration, and interior refreshing and modernization which wer...

Dan's News & Views Blog

Monday, June 10, 2019

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