News and Media

Car Makers Turn on a Dime to Manufacture Healthcare Solutions

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

When the going gets tough, North American automotive companies don’t roll as many new vehicles off the line. They do, however, roll up their sleeves. Here we look at just a few of the pivots companies have made to address urgent COVID-19 needs and impacts. Their model behavior and speed demonstrate why North American manufacturing ingenuity continues to attract substantial investments for new vehicle models to come. Read full article.

Frontline Care, Pioneering Innovation

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Rock Health — the first venture fund dedicated to digital health — is a fitting prism for viewing the current and future world of digital health technologies, and how they’re navigating their own paths through the multinational life sciences and medical device ecosystem. As the COVID-19 pandemic has unfolded, they navigated a path to immediate action — and job creation. Read full article.

Will COVID-19 Kill Globalization? What You Need to Know

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Recent trade battles with China, Mexico, Canada, and Europe have reduced trade flows. Now, with the outbreak of COVID-19 severely impacting international commerce, many argue that globalization will soon be dead. Globalization is not dying. Rather, it’s evolving, and existing trends are accelerating. American companies and workers would be wise to prepare for what’s ahead. Read full article.

COVID-19 and Site Selection in the Near and Long Term

Monday, July 13, 2020

Companies and communities are attempting to navigate through the current crisis, but as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, how will corporate location strategy be affected in the near and long term? Recessionary Forces The level of damage to the economy will depend on the spread of the virus, the healthcare response to the virus, and the effectiveness of the government stimulus and aid programs. This was clearly exemplified in the analysis and research completed by McKinsey & Company in “Safeguarding our lives and our livelihoods: The imperative of our time.” The accompanying graphic contains the group’s projection of the recovery and what w...

Downtown Investment Partnership Works to Revitalize Downtown Red Wing

Monday, July 13, 2020

In efforts to revitalize properties in Downtown Red Wing, the City and community members determined to develop a partnership whose main mission was to accomplish this revitalization. The Red Wing Downtown Investment Partnership was approved by City Council in 2018 as a structure and funding source for improving Downtown Red Wing. The partnership was commenced on a pilot program basis, to be re-evaluated after a two year period. Since then, the partnership helped with financing to renovate a building in the downtown area, providing more attractive and usable square footage. Key Partners The key partners of the Downtown Investment Partnership are Red Win...

Successfully Returning to the Workplace Post-COVID

Monday, July 13, 2020

With the easing of restrictions surrounding the Covid-19 outbreak, organizations are starting to bring employees back into the workplace. A successful re-entry program will ensure the safety of company personnel and the public, obviate charges of discrimination and invasion of privacy, and avoid actions that inadvertently violate federal, state, and local employment laws. Employers should set a positive tone to motivate their personnel in a difficult environment. Read full article.

First Person: Handling Plant Shutdowns and Re-Openings During the Pandemic

Friday, July 10, 2020

AD: The global COVID-19 pandemic has caused some manufacturing plants to temporarily suspend — wholly or in part — their operations because of employees suffering illness. What — and who — is involved in coordinating the suspension of operations? Vetter: To my knowledge, I don’t believe that we have seen this type of activity happening within our food and consumer products clients’ operations. In fact, what we are experiencing is a ramp up in production on their existing lines. Lines that had some, or even significant amounts of idle time in their production schedule prior to COVID-19, have now been replaced with increase...

Proactive Management of Incentives Deals

Friday, July 10, 2020

If you or your clients have incentives contracts, now is the time to examine your incentive agreements to understand the potential risks if your company is unable to perform key obligations. The first step in any crisis is to determine exactly what the problem is. Review your incentive agreements to confirm with specificity your obligations. Second, closely review the language of your agreements to determine if any of your obligations can be delayed due to a “force majeure” provision, a “market conditions” provision, or a similar provision. Third, as soon as the crisis begins to abate, and perhaps sooner in certai...

Stick the Landing: How to Help Optimize Workplace Reentry

Friday, July 10, 2020

We are at a pivotal point in time, surrounded by growing uncertainty. Yet we know one thing for certain: The way we work will change following this pandemic. That includes everything from the ways we interact with one another, to the tasks we take on, and the physical environment we work in. Organizations carefully planning their safe return to the workplace will find key allies in corporate real estate experts who specialize in office location, planning, layout, and design. Read full article.

Xena Therapies Founder and CEO, Tammy Lee, Launches Cool Therapy Company in Red Wing

Wednesday, July 01, 2020

Xena Therapies founder and CEO, Tammy Lee, has risen above COVID-19 hardships and opened a manufacturing company and plant in Red Wing. She worked with Red Wing Port Authority and others in the community to develop her latest enterprise despite challenges brought on by the pandemic. Xena Therapies Opens Despite Roadblocks After securing a loan in January, the business guru opened the Xena Therapies manufacturing company and plant in Red Wing. The plant began operations in February but quickly hit a COVID-19 roadblock in March. Xena Therapies was forced to close operations and pause plans to sell products directly to health an...

Greater Minnesota solar projects highlight utility plans for speeding up the green economy

Tuesday, June 30, 2020

When Minnesota’s largest utilities released plans for putting people to work during a sagging economy while also speeding up the state’s transition to green energy, solar energy topped two of the companies’ lists. The June proposals by Xcel Energy and Minnesota Power, which include solar projects at four sites in Greater Minnesota, came at the urging of the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, which had asked the big utilities it regulates to move up the completion dates of energy projects that were in the works. Read full article.

With small grants, Pink Cloud Foundation helps recipients take the next step in recovery

Tuesday, June 30, 2020

As she got close to completing a 90-day inpatient addiction-treatment program, Brenda Meizo thought she should be feeling jubilant. Sober for the longest stretch in years, she was about to step out into the world, to go back to her real life. But instead of feeling excited, she was scared. Though she’d successfully made it through treatment, Meizo knew she needed more time to make her newfound make sobriety stick. At her treatment center, she’d learned about sober-living programs, temporary housing where people fresh out of addiction treatment could live beside others committed to a sober lifestyle. For many people, ...

DEED grant would put $10K in the pockets of small business

Saturday, June 27, 2020

The application period opened up for $30 million in available grant funding for small businesses in Greater Minnesota. The Minnesota Small Business Relief Grants Program is made available through the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and breaks down to a $10,000 grant for those businesses that are chosen through a lottery draw. The grants are another effort to get much needed funds into the hands of struggling small business owners during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read full article.

9 Ways to Lead Your Team Into an Unknowable Future

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

The workplace is changed. As parts of the world begin to loosen coronavirus-related restrictions, organizations are emerging from COVID-induced hibernation. These transitions back to work are gradual. Uncertainty will remain for months as threats of renewed waves of coronavirus persist. We are anticipating a new normal — but what we need is a new now. The radical change of these times demands empathic leadership to keep teams engaged, cohesive and forward-focused. Leaders must demonstrate a spirit of purpose and optimism to reinforce the idea that an uncertain future has the potential to be a better future. Here are nine steps for leading your team into an unknowabl...

A Top TED Speaker on the Most Important Leadership Skill Right Now

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Shortly after George Floyd’s death, I contributed an article to Entrepreneur that told the story of what happened when I responded individually to 170 emails from members of my list. I had asked them how I could best show up for them during this tumultuous time. Based on how many of these folks took this opportunity not to ask for certain content, but to simply share their thoughts, I came to understand that what they most wanted was to feel heard. Read full article.

How Businesses Can Leverage the Power of TikTok

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

If you want your own business to grow and prosper as the world reopens and a new sense of normalcy settles in, getting to know TikTok is a good first step. The video-sharing platform has emerged from relative obscurity to become one of the leading social media companies in the world, and one of the most business friendly for entrepreneurs who know how to make it work. TikTok is particularly custom-made for personal-brand building, and many entrepreneurs are using it in just that way. By way of example, in a scant three and a half months, one top TikTok chef has amassed an army of more tha...

6 Phrases You Won’t Hear Successful People Say

Monday, June 22, 2020

Your thoughts and the things you say to yourself and others are more powerful than you know. These phrases define how you think, how you act and how others perceive you. What you might think is a flippant, non-committal remark could frame your entire day and career without you even realizing. Here are six phrases that will undermine your success, that you won’t catch successful people using. Read full article.

Nearly $19 Million Awarded for Development Projects in Small Cities

Monday, June 22, 2020

St. Paul – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced Small Cities Development Program (SCDP) grants totaling nearly $19 million for infrastructure and rehabilitation projects in 32 Minnesota cities. SCDP grants are part of the Community Development Block Grant Program administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The SCDP grants pay for rehabilitating housing and commercial buildings and updating public infrastructure in small cities and counties. Read full article.

8 Signs You Have Validated Your Startup App Idea

Saturday, June 20, 2020

If you have been gearing up to launch your startup app for quite some time, chances are you have given a lot of thoughts to the viability, validation, and potential of your idea, especially when it means the difference between success and failure. Quantifying and qualifying your validation milestones will help you create a roadmap and benchmark by which you can evaluate your path while reducing your uncertainty, hesitation and doubt. Here are 8 of the most common signs indicating whether you have validated your startup app idea. Read full article.

A Guide To Investor Pitch Decks For Startup Fundraising

Saturday, June 20, 2020

Startups frequently prepare a “pitch deck” to present their company to prospective angel or venture capital investors. The pitch deck typically consists of 15-20 slides in a PowerPoint presentation and is intended to showcase the company’s products, technology, and team to the investors. Raising capital from investors is difficult and time consuming. Therefore, it’s crucial that a startup creates a great investor pitch deck by articulating a compelling and interesting story. Read full article.

DEED announces partnership with Coursera to provide free online learning content to Minnesotans

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

ST. PAUL, Minn . – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced a new partnership with Coursera, the leading online learning platform that offers courses from 200 top universities and businesses around the world, including more than 60 courses from the University of Minnesota. This partnership is made possible by the Coursera Workforce Recovery Initiative . Read full article.

Forbes Under 30 Leaders Find Innovative Solution Addressing Systemic Issue Of Access To Capital For Small Businesses

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

The coronavirus pandemic has taken a catastrophic toll on America’s small businesses. Those with small cash reserves are owed nearly $1 trillion by suppliers, and according to a recent survey by Goldman Sachs, 85% of small business owners say their personal finances have been hurt due to the crisis, while 64% say their cash reserves will last less than three months. When the government rolled out the first round of Paycheck Protection Program funding on April 3, the $349 billion in emergency relief ran out in less than two weeks, and the program was widely criticized, as much of the money went to the best-connecte...

How the Covid-19 Crisis is Affecting the 2020 U.S. Census

Friday, June 12, 2020

Every 10 years, the U.S. Census is conducted in the United States. The purpose of the Census is to count the entire population of the United States. The Census asks American households certain questions such as sex, age, and race of each person in the household. These demographics help determine congressional representation and how much funding each state, county, and community received of the $675 billion per year in federal funding. These funds are spent on schools, hospitals, roads, public works, and other essential programs. The U.S. Census data is also very helpful for businesses and developers in Red Wing. Businesse...

Launch Minnesota Awards More Than $250,000 to 10 Startups

Friday, June 12, 2020

St. Paul – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) today announced $255,390 in Launch Minnesota Innovation Grants to 10 technology startups. In this fourth round of grant funding, twelve grants were awarded: seven for business operations, three for housing and child care expenses and two Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) awards. Read full article.

Can energy companies help Minnesota’s economy recover from the COVID pandemic?

Monday, June 08, 2020

In early May, Joseph Sullivan, a commissioner on the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, challenged the state’s major energy companies to speed up the completion of projects that could put people to work in a COVID-19-ravaged economy. Sullivan floated the idea in a memo to commissioners ahead of their May 7 meeting, noting that it could have the added benefit of helping the environment by getting green projects like wind and solar farms on the energy grid. Read full article.

Red Wing Port Authority Approves Temporary Outdoor Seating Grant Program

Friday, June 05, 2020

The Red Wing Port Authority is making 1:1 matching grants available to eateries, cafes, bars and restaurants within the city limits that have received temporary Sidewalk Café Licenses from the Community Development Department. Up to $2,500 is available as a matching grant for eligible expenses, such as tables, chairs, barriers and corresponding labor costs. Read more here. Download the application here.

The Employment Situation - May 2020

Friday, June 05, 2020

News Release Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Department of Labor

A brief history of Minnesota’s Mesabi Iron Range

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

The Mesabi Iron Range wasn’t the first iron range to be mined in Minnesota, but it has arguably been the most prolific. Since the 1890s, the Mesabi has produced iron ore that boosted the national economy, contributed to the Allied victory in World War II, and cultivated a multiethnic regional culture in northeast Minnesota. The Mesabi Iron Range’s history as a mining district begins well before ore was unearthed. More than two billion years ago, an era of mountain building known as the Algoman orogeny occurred. High mountains were built in northern Minnesota and, later, a large shallow sea covered muc...

Minnesota isn’t going to run out of meat

Friday, May 22, 2020

If you’ve been to a grocery store in recent weeks, you may have noticed the meat section looking a little picked over. Then again, maybe not: while some stores have imposed limits on how much meat customers can buy, or have run out of some products, others haven’t seen much change in supply. There’s no shortage of animals. But as COVID-19 has closed down or slowed down meat processing plants, the meat supply chain has been strained, making it more difficult to get animals processed and get the meat to the right places at the right time. Read full article.

No Experience Required: 9 Occupations Hiring Now

Thursday, May 14, 2020

Many businesses working to provide essential services like health care, food, supplies and transportation are hiring right now in Minnesota. Some positions may be temporary during the COVID-19 pandemic, but many are permanent and, particularly in the health care field, can serve as a stepping stone to higher-paying careers for those who get additional experience or training. In many cases, a person can find a job in one of these occupations without previous experience in the field. Many of the jobs listed below may be posted under multiple titles – some of which vary in their job descriptions, requirements, and wages...

A “Now, Next, Later” Approach for Dealing with Pandemic Challenges

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the U.S. spread in March, leading to shelter-in-place orders in most states and a rapid slowdown of the national economy, businesses have started adopting Baker Tilly’s “now, next, later” framework in dealing with the pandemic challenges: “Now” is focused on the first 30 days; “next” is focused on the following 60 days; and “later” focusing on 90 days and beyond. The “now” response reflects the immediate reality for businesses – survival. An early March 2020 poll by the National Association of Manufacturers showed 35 percent of manufacturers are facing significant interruptions in supply chain operations, though onl...

Assembling the Right Site Selection Team

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Your company has just decided to invest in a new facility expansion, and you have been chosen to lead the effort. Perhaps you have specific knowledge about a certain manufacturing process or maybe you are the most trusted individual to the CEO. Whatever landed you the assignment is irrelevant; now you must understand the CEO and the entire company are putting their collective faith in you to succeed at finding the best location for the planned expansion. Read full article.

Business Stories

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

If you have a good story to tell about your Minnesota business or labor organization helping during this time, or have photos or stories showing creative solutions to social distancing and keeping workers safe, please submit these stories to GoodBusiness@state.mn.us. Read full article.

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

For Magdalah R. Silva, joining Dell Women’s Entrepreneur Network (DWEN) was a game changer right from the start. As co-founder, CEO, and president of DMS International—an information and technology services company for the Federal government and the private sector—Magdalah attended the 2019 DWEN Summit in Singapore along with other global women entrepreneurs, investors, and thought leaders. It was there that she connected with Dell representatives and other women who understand the role data and technology play in driving global growth. Read full article.

How Is the Pandemic Affecting Location Decisions in the Food & Beverage Industry?

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

I've been fortunate to have some great conversations with economic developers over the past few weeks, with many questions on the pandemic's impact on site location decisions for the food and beverage Industry. While nothing is certain, I've read and attached links to some important insights which I would like to share with those who currently or plan to target this industry. Be very aware that: Disruption of reliable demand and labor shortages have resulted in huge supply chain inefficiencies, leaving too much food in the wrong places. New facility locations that process products that heavily rely on predictable supply chain will n...

The Future of Manufacturing Site Selection is Connected

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Top Site Selection Concerns for Heavy Manufacturing Companies When you think of heavy manufacturing, utilities and transportation logistics infrastructure is key for those operations. So, for example, you have operations with demands in the 400 megawatt or the 200 megawatts range. Some smaller heavy-industrial operations require 10 to 20 megawatts – which is already a big operation in terms of electricity demand. It’s not that you find a lot of locations that are ready with 400 megawatts waiting for that operation to come. It's important to find locations that can meet this type of electricity demand, and you can couple tha...

DEED Awards $681,000 in Airport Infrastructure Grants

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

St. Paul – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has awarded $681,000 in grants to Alexandria, the Duluth Airport Authority and Elbow Lake. “These grants will create jobs and expand economic development opportunities in the Greater Minnesota communities receiving these grants,” said DEED Commissioner Steve Grove. “This is an important investment as Minnesota’s economy begins to recover from the impacts of COVID-19 over the coming months.” Read full article.

10 Site Selection and Economic Development Takeaways from the COVID-19 Crisis

Thursday, April 30, 2020

Over extended and overly risky supply chains are no longer tolerable. Coronavirus is providing new and forceful momentum for the reshoring of manufacturing investment back to the U.S. from China and elsewhere. Our nation’s medical devices and biopharma sector — now dangerously concentrated in China — must be the first in line to disinvest there and reinvest back here in the States. Currently, less than 30% of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) -producing facilities are in the U.S. - while the number of Chinese facilities has more than doubled since 2010. The recent bipartisan bill introduced by Senator Blackburn (R-Tennessee) an...

COVID-19 - Suffocating the global medical supply chain, while breathing life into its future.

Thursday, April 30, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has further exposed the vulnerabilities of the United States’ reliance on imported medical supplies and equipment. Global manufacturers of these much-needed products have had capacities curtailed due to shutdowns, social distancing, and travel restrictions. At the same time more than 50 countries around the world have embargoed or restricted exports of items like personal protective equipment (PPE), ventilators and other much-needed medical equipment and pharmaceutical products. Read full article.

Job Club Online Joins CareerForce Lineup of Virtual & Interactive Offerings

Thursday, April 30, 2020

Over 600 Minnesotans across the state – from Minneapolis and Winona to Hibbing and Twig – registered to take part in our first Job Club Online on Tuesday. Catherine Byers Breet – who has 22 years of experience as a career consultant, job hunt coach and recruiter – hosted the job club via webinar. Her topic this week was Video Interviewing: How to stand out and be the one they want. Read full article.

Minnesota nonprofits, schools participate in first-ever Give At Home MN campaign

Thursday, April 30, 2020

The first week of May felt a lot like November as Minnesota nonprofits make a flurry of pitches for donations in a first-ever virtual fundraising campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting Friday, GiveMN — the nonprofit that in November puts on the largest annual giving day in the state, Give to the Max — is hosting a new eight-day campaign called Give At Home MN. Read full article.

Spending All Day At Your Desk? Four Exercises To Boost Productivity When Working From Home

Thursday, April 30, 2020

We knew sitting all day was not a healthy lifestyle choice, even before the coronavirus hit. Now, however, without commutes to get us walking, or the ability to stroll down office hallways to see a colleague or join a meeting, it’s even easier to spend all day in one chair, with little movement. “Spending all that time online can be grueling,” says Marie Di Virgilio, a core faculty member with Benedictine University’s Ph.D./D.B.A. program in Values-Driven Leadership, for senior executives. Read full article.

The Secret To Retail Success Post Coronavirus? Adopting A Consumer-Centric Approach

Thursday, April 30, 2020

Fashion retail was facing unprecedented upheaval long before any of us had even heard of coronavirus or could imagine a situation where all stores would be forced to close and the world would be in global lockdown. This pre-coronavirus need for change was being driven by shrinking margins and an increase in nimble new entrants to the market who were growing their market share at a rapid pace, striping away sales from large incumbent brands and retailers. For the majority of retail businesses, trying to evolve and keep pace in recent years has been a painful experience as it’s meant questionin...

American Retail Reopens—Sort Of: A State-By-State Guide To What’s Back

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

The stores of American retailing are starting to reopen—at least some of them, in some places and at some times. As the coronavirus pandemic stretches into its third month on Friday, states and businesses across the country are making fateful decisions on reopening. These acts are accompanied by copious rules and regulations on social distancing, health and safety measures, and reprogrammed shopping procedures—all of which are dependent on shoppers and store employees to both obey and embrace. Read full article.

Announcing new tools to help businesses promote safe work environments

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Health experts around the world will tell you that one of the most important aspects of workplace safety during a pandemic is careful and effective health screening of employees. That's why in Executive Order 20-40, the Governor requires all non-critical businesses coming back into workplace environments to engage in proper health screenings each day. Now, thanks to a unique collaboration between Target Corp, Minnesota IT Services, and the Minnesota Safety Council – Minnesota businesses have a digital tool that can make those screenings even more effective. Read full article.

DEED Awards more the $1.3 Million in MJSP Grants

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

St. Paul – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) awarded nine workforce development grants totaling nearly $1.3 million under the Minnesota Jobs Skills Partnership (MJSP) to assist businesses and educational institutions in training workers to keep high-quality jobs in the state. These grants were awarded in early March 2020, prior to impact from the COVID-19 pandemic in Minnesota. “The MJSP is a vital tool in helping Minnesotans train for high-skill, high-paying jobs, particularly as Minnesota’s economy will begin to recover from the impacts of COVID-19 over the coming months,” said Commissioner of DEED, Steve Grove. “Training workers to mee...

As many as 20,000 Minnesota businesses could reopen Monday, but will they?

Monday, April 27, 2020

If you’re looking to enjoy the spring weather with a newly assembled pair of Minnesota-made Riedell roller skates, you’ll need to wait a touch longer. Afforded an early-bird chance along with other select businesses to reopen Monday amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Riedell opted to continue to retrofit social-distancing strategies in its Red Wing plant and resume skate manufacturing as planned on May 4 — the final day of the state’s current stay-at-home order. Read full article.

FCC Commissioners Sharply Disagree on U.S. Broadband Report

Monday, April 27, 2020

A Federal Communications Commission report indicated that the U.S. is making progress on closing the digital divide, but FCC commissioners don’t agree on how much progress has been made. The 2020 Broadband Deployment Report showed that very high-speed broadband service (250 Mbps/25 Mbps) can be accessed by roughly 85 percent of citizens — a number that has gone up by 47 percent since 2017. The report attributes this and other gains to the $80 billion invested in broadband infrastructure in 2018, a significant increase in fiber-to-the-home projects in 2019 and the advent of 5G technology. Read full article.

Eleven Companies Receive Launch Minnesota Innovation Grants

Friday, April 24, 2020

St. Paul – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced $247,000 in Launch Minnesota Innovation Grants to 11 of the state’s most promising, innovative and scalable technology startups. In this third round of Launch Minnesota Innovation Grants, 12 grants were awarded to 11 different companies: eight grants for business operations and four housing/childcare grants. Read full article.

Heroes Of The Pandemic

Friday, April 24, 2020

They’re doing what they’ve always done. Doing what they’ll continue to do when coronavirus testing is widespread and a vaccine is developed. When the rest of us return to a new normal, whatever that might look like, they’ll still be on the front lines caring for the sick and afraid, comforting the grieving, fighting for health care equity and championing the message that mental health care is health care. The terrifying risks to them and their families will eventually subside, but never their passion for and clarity about this work. We thank them now, and resolve to keep our eye...

A Framework for safely returning to work

Thursday, April 23, 2020

Governor Tim Walz reviewed a framework for evaluating when it is safe to reopen a variety of workplace, social, and educational environments in Minnesota. That framework takes into consideration a number of health, economic, and social factors – and applies them to a variety of settings that have varying levels of predictability and size considerations. As part of that framework, he issued Executive Order 20-40, which provides a limited first step in the process of safely returning to work, beginning only with workers at non-Critical Sector industrial, manufacturing and office based businesses that are non-customer facing. Read full article.

Small Business Survival Series: Bruce Katz

Thursday, April 23, 2020

Bruce Katz: I run a finance lab at Drexel University and work as a partner with Accelerator for America. I’ve been very focused on trying to codify these local relief funds that are emerging around the country. Grant Baskerville (Sorenson Impact Center): Bruce, if I can pick up on the excellent piece that you coauthored with Colin Higgins and Michael Saadine, you very effectively stratify the different levels of activity that happen city, state, and federal levels. We’d love your input on this. Read full article.

What will it look like when Minnesota’s economy begins to open?

Thursday, April 23, 2020

Mike Frattallone estimates his Ace Hardware stores were among the first Minnesota businesses to put a plastic screen between customers and cashiers, before Governor Tim Walz ordered non-critical businesses to close and Minnesotans to stay at home. Since then, those protection screens have gotten more elaborate. “We have a lot of hockey fans working in the stores, and they’ve taken to calling it the ‘penalty box’ because the plastic is almost on all sides now,” Frattallone said Wednesday. “I’ll tell you what, though, when you’re in there you feel pretty darn safe compared to just being out there.” Read full article.

US Senate approves $484bn funding for small businesses, hospitals

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Washington, DC - The United States Senate approved legislation worth $484bn to provide funding for a small business jobs programme, hospitals overrun by the coronavirus outbreak, and a national testing impetus to help tamp down the pandemic. The Senate bill, agreed to in advance by the White House, allocates $25bn for a testing strategy that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats insisted was key to reopening the US economy. The bill calls on the Trump administration to define a strategy to provide nationwide testing and report on that plan to Congress. Read full article.

Your comments on workplace safety plans for COVID-19

Monday, April 20, 2020

As Governor Walz has said, Minnesotans are buying the state valuable preparation time for COVID-19 by staying at home. The Governor's Executive Order 20-33 has asked Minnesotans not working in Critical Sectors to continue to Stay at Home through May 4th to slow the spread of COVID-19. During this time, we are looking at how non-critical sector employees can get back to work safely, when teleworking is not an option. One important component of allowing non-critical industries to return to work will be ensuring that these businesses have a plan for how to follow CDC guidance at their workplace. To make the developmen...

How the Walz administration is developing its plans for restarting Minnesota’s economy

Friday, April 17, 2020

When Gov. Tim Walz extended his stay-home order until May 4, he asked state agencies to get some workers back on the job quickly while planning for how to reopen the economy on a wider scale once public health restrictions begin to ease. It’s no simple task. Which business can safely restart — and when — has been a puzzle facing state governments across the U.S. as they try to bolster an imploding economy without overwhelming hospitals or putting lives at risk from COVID-19. Read full article.

Employers are looking for workers in Minnesota

Thursday, April 16, 2020

Postings for jobs in Minnesota were up 50% last week over the previous week - so if you're looking for work, an employer may be looking for you! Here are the top occupations being hired for right now in Minnesota: Personal Care Aides Registered Nurses Nursing Assistants Cashiers/Retail Sales Workers Read full article.

How Leah Pritchett Turned Her Drag Racing Hobby Into A Career

Saturday, April 11, 2020

Leah Pritchett’s love for drag racing started at a young age—thanks to her father who was a land speed racer and dreamt of racing with his family. What started as a hobby when Pritchett was eight years old later became Pritchett’s passion that she turned into a career. Now, Pritchett—who won her first career national event in 2016—has risen to the top of a male-dominated sport. But as women become more successful in the racing world, she’s optimistic that it’ll inspire others to go after new and bigger opportunities. Read full article.

In Focus: Key Success Factors for Building a Cannabis Processing Center

Saturday, April 11, 2020

On January 1 of this year, Illinois was the latest state to legalize recreational cannabis, and there are strong indications that New York will be following suit. By the end of 2020, more than 40 U.S. states could have marijuana laws on the books — a boon for industrial speculative developers looking to diversify by seeking new growth opportunities beyond e-commerce leasing. The development of facilities for cannabis processing is highly specialized — more akin to the development of a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant than an e-commerce warehouse. Even then, it’s not an apples-to-apples comparison. Pharmaceutical manufacturers are subject to federal oversigh...

Milestones and Incentives in the Site Selection Process

Saturday, April 11, 2020

The Biggest Misperception About the Incentive Process I think a lot of companies that aren't familiar with the incentive process come to us and have the misconception that they simply make some commitments, they sign a lease, shake the hand of the mayor, and receive a check. It's actually a much more complex process than that. It requires working with the municipalities for multiple years in order to show that you've met the commitments to receive the incentives that have been awarded based on the company's performance. Read full article.

Research, Engineering, and Design: The Talent Cluster in a Talent-Focused World

Saturday, April 11, 2020

Where’s the talent? Ask a corporate executive or a site selection consultant the number-one factor driving location decisions and the response will be skilled labor. In Area Development’s 33rd Annual Corporate Survey and 15th Annual Consultants Survey, “availability of skilled labor” ranked number one on both surveys — not surprising while reinforcing talent-focused strategies. If talent is the number-one factor, why do so many economic development strategies focus on clusters of companies versus clusters of talent? A New Approach One benefit of starting a new regional economic development organization is the ability to consider new approaches without being tied to previous thinking. A...

Automotive Site Selection in Small and Rural Communities

Friday, April 10, 2020

Site Selection Factors for the Automotive Industry The U.S., Mexico, Canada Agreement (USMCA), for example, which has now higher local [requirements] content. So before, the local content for automotive projects was at about 62%, and now they raised it to 75%, which means you have to manufacture much more in the U.S. For example, Germans like to ship in the engine but that is a very large part [of the car]. So, the whole supply chain is changing. And then, with all the new agreements with China, for example, the tariff war going on, back and forth, how many tariffs ar...

Redevelopment of Former Coal Plant Sites

Friday, April 10, 2020

Coal-fired power plants across the United States shut down in 2019 at the second-fastest pace on record. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), plants with a combined total of more than 15,100 megawatts ceased operating nationwide last year — enough to power 15 million homes, and second only to the number of megawatts retired during 2015. The reasons behind these closures are many: decreasing wholesale prices, competition from comparatively cheap and plentiful alternate energy sources such as natural gas, subsidized solar and wind energy, continued compliance with federal energy regulations, and public concern over coal’s effect on climat...

What Will the City of the Future Look Like?

Friday, April 10, 2020

The city of the future will be more walkable, connected, educated and infrastructure-laden than what currently passes for a competitive location. According to a recent survey of economists and site selection consultants, the “must-have” ingredients for the most competitive locations of the future won’t come easy or cheap, but they will be indispensable to attract growing businesses and the talent needed to make them thrive. Read full article.

55 Federal, State and Nonprofit Relief Efforts and Funds to Help You Through the Coronavirus Pandemic

Friday, April 03, 2020

In 2018, over 30 million small businesses accounted for 99.9 percent of the total businesses in the United States. Over 59 million small business employees accounted for 48 percent of the total employees in the United States. And our unemployment rate was 4.1 percent, according to the SBA. Now, the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis estimates 47 million Americans could lose their jobs by the time the coronavirus allows our economy to begin recovering. That's a 32 percent unemployment rate. Read full article.

Red Wing Port Authority Approves Emergency Grant/Loan Program

Friday, April 03, 2020

Notice: On April 1, 2020 the Red Wing Port Authority approved a new financing program for small businesses in Red Wing. “The Small Business Emergency Grant/Loan Program.” Currently we have received 39 applications totaling $549,000 in request. At this time we are no longer accepting application, until further notice. On April 1, 2020 the Red Wing Port Authority approved a new financing program for small businesses in Red Wing. The Small Business Emergency Grant/Loan Program utilizes the Port’s existing industrial revolving loan fund, which is now also available for retail and service businesses for 90 days (through 6/21/20) per an executive order o...

Getting by: How businesses in one Greater Minnesota town are dealing with ‘social distancing’ disruptions

Thursday, April 02, 2020

At The Tavern on Main, a downtown café and bar in Litchfield, Minnesota, Bethany and Michael Lee had to lay off 13 workers as they try to salvage their business during the disruptive “social distancing” brought on by the COVID-19 crisis. The Lees had to shutter their dining area, which doubles as a popular bar in the evening. But they have been selling enough takeout orders to generate about a quarter of their usual business – enough, they hope, to get them by until things return to normal. Read full article.

How and where Minnesota's population grew in the last decade

Thursday, April 02, 2020

There were two short years this past decade when more people came into Minnesota from other states than left -- a trend the state hasn’t seen in decades. But newly released population estimates data shows that reversed in 2019. The state’s population continued to grow, however, thanks to the fact that births outpaced deaths last year. That’s not expected to last much longer, though, and it has already reversed in some parts of the state. Read full article.

MnDOT spending $1 billion on 2020 road projects

Thursday, April 02, 2020

Let’s all collectively groan: Road construction season is here. But with the Minnesota Department of Transportation taking on a slightly less ambitious project schedule this year and with fewer motorists driving because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 construction season may be less disruptive than usual. Even so, motorists will encounter orange cones and detours at 188 sites in the metro area and across the state as MnDOT forges ahead with over $1 billion in projects small and large over the next six months. Read full article.

Transportation officials: Road projects full steam ahead

Thursday, April 02, 2020

As the coronavirus pandemic rapidly expands, even those businesses not shut down by Gov. Tim Walz’s stay at home order are facing challenges from breaks in key supply chains to significantly reduced demand. Nonetheless, transportation workers are still working hard to keep Minnesotans moving. They are among the 78% of working Minnesotans who could be exempt from the stay at home order, according to Commissioner Steve Grove of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. That includes almost all employees with the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the Rice County Highway Department and Faribault’s Engineering Department, although meetings are now hel...

Coronavirus In Minnesota: ‘This Is Absolutely About Survival’: Help On The Way For Small Businesses

Wednesday, April 01, 2020

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — Estimates show small businesses employ half of all Minnesotans. Many of those businesses owners are painting a grim picture of the future. Customers are sheltering at home and most stores and offices are closed — but help is on the way. Twin Cities marketing expert Sharon Smith-Akansaya brought together a power panel via Zoom to let small businesses know what resources are out there. Read full article.

Entrepreneur working to grow his small business plan even bigger amid COVID-19

Wednesday, April 01, 2020

The novel coronavirus is creating challenges for entrepreneurs across the state because of Gov. Tim Walz's stay-at-home order. Small businesses have been among the hardest hit by the spread of COVID-19; As many have been forced to completely close their doors amid no cash-flow, they're left figuring out how to survive, and grow, in the future. But some big Minnesota businesses are helping small ones at just the right time. 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS spent time with a small business owner in north Minneapolis to find out how he's working not only to stay afloat, but to grow, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Rea...

Minnesota Community Care Transforms System to Address COVID-19

Wednesday, April 01, 2020

Minnesota Community Care, the state’s largest federally qualified health center, is activating a full transformation of its system to implement community mitigation strategies and reduce the spread and impact of COVID-19. Effective April 1, 2020, the organization will actively transition its sites, services, and programs to immediately respond to the current status of COVID-19’s spread in Minnesota. Read full article.

Why You Fear Public Speaking and How to Overcome It

Wednesday, April 01, 2020

Public speaking continues to be a top fear of humanity. Whether you’re speaking to a group of 10 or 10,000, public speaking is nerve-wracking. Yet most professionals agree that public speaking is a powerful skill capable of transforming one's business or career. As a professional speaker for over eight years, I’ve had experience training small groups of executives, pitching business plans to key stakeholders and delivering keynote presentations to thousands of people around the world. The below is my best advice for removing anxiety before any presentation. Read full article.

A Guide for Minnesota Small Businesses Who Need Help

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Over the past few weeks, several state and federal programs have been built to assist small businesses struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic. Different programs make sense for different businesses, so we’re providing this summary guide to help small businesses quickly see which programs might be right for their situation. Read full article.

Who's still hiring? These seven employers lead Minnesota's list

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

The spread of the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 has put hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans out of work, but that doesn't mean no one in the state is hiring. On Monday, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Commissioner Steve Grove said that plenty of businesses were still recruiting and that a number of jobs were posted on the state's job posting site, CareerForce. CareerForce added 3,650 new jobs last week. Read full article.

Minnesota Medtech Steps Up

Monday, March 30, 2020

Heading into another week of social distancing, Minnesota has reported a total of 576 confirmed Covid-19 cases, along with 10 deaths. Now, the state’s medtech companies are again lending a hand to help alleviate the strain on hospital systems. In response to the desperate need for ventilators, Medtronic has publicized design specifications for its ventilators. The information sharing about the Puritan Bennett 560 ventilator will allow other companies across industries to contribute to increased production of the much-needed device, said Bob White, executive vice president and president of the Minimally Invasive Therapies Group at Medtronic, in a news release. Read full article.

More relief available for Minnesota small business amid coronavirus crisis

Monday, March 30, 2020

As small businesses throughout the state continue to struggle amid the COVID-19 crisis, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development announced the implementation of the Minnesota Small Business Loan Guarantee Program. This program is part of a $330 million bill signed by Gov. Tim Walz over the weekend, and provides another option to help small businesses that might be struggling right now. Read full article.

Shifting business to battle the coronavirus

Monday, March 30, 2020

Ben VandenWymelenberg graduated in 2012 with a bachelor of science in architecture—but not before hitting on something big. While procrastinating on his senior year project, VandenWymelenberg struck gold with an idea and rushed to the workshop to produce his first wooden phone case. A few months later he launched WOODCHUCK USA, producing sustainably sourced, handcrafted wood products. Read full article.

Small-loan program kicks off in Minnesota for businesses affected by pandemic

Monday, March 30, 2020

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced the Minnesota Small Business Loan Guarantee Program, which was approved by the Minnesota Legislature last week. This temporary program, established in response to impacts of COVID-19, provides another option for financing to help small businesses weather this difficult time. DEED estimates that this $10 million will guarantee $20 million to $25 million in loans for Minnesota small businesses. Read full article.

What workers need to know about unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 emergency

Monday, March 30, 2020

Gov. Tim Walz signed an executive order March 16 to tweak Minnesota’s unemployment insurance program in an effort to help people struggling with the closure of schools and businesses because of the novel coronavirus. The order was the latest in a string of measures taken by the governor to ramp up the state’s response to COVID-19 and push people to avoid crowds and take other health precautions. On March 13, Walz declared a peacetime emergency and warned against large gatherings. By March 16 he had closed schools and ordered closures of restaurants, gyms, theaters, museums and more. Read full article.

How A Navy Officer Turned A Big Idea Into A $118M Business

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Page, a senior and midshipman first class, was developing a thesis project that was helping him graduate from the academy so he could fulfill his dream of becoming a SEAL or naval aviator. But then a senior professor walked into the lab. He wanted to hear about Page’s project. Over the next few hours, Page explained a new kind of water treatment technology, an idea he had since high school. When the student finished his presentation, the teacher flipped his notebook over and looked at him. Read full article.

COLLECTIVE STRENGTH AT FOUNDATION OF MINNESOTA’S ECONOMY

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

The Minnesota Chamber works year-round to strengthen the overall business climate for the livelihood of employers and employees alike. Our statewide economy is truly the sum of its parts. The priorities of the statewide business community are center stage as we advance another aggressive agenda at the Legislature. Businesses across the state face similar challenges no matter their size or industry. Click here to read full article.

Invest in the future of Minnesota: Small businesses and family farms

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Business owners invest in Minnesota’s future every day. They invest in their employees and their communities. They invest in their business needs – equipment, workforce – to grow, many times before company profit is a guarantee. These investments lay the foundation for small businesses to grow and create opportunities across the state and for family farms to continue their legacies. All of this helps Minnesota compete on a global stage to grow Minnesota’s economy and retain and create jobs. We share their commitment to investing in Minnesota’s future and call on legislators to do the same by aligning Minnesota’s income ta...

Launch Minnesota Awards $450K to Grow Startups

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Minnesota is stepping up its commitment to startups with another round of grants. On Wednesday, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development announced that it has awarded $450,000 to six organizations as part of its “Launch Minnesota” initiative. The organizations will form the basis for the state’s Launch Minnesota Network. The grants, which have been matched with nearly $900,000 in private funds, were awarded through a competitive request for proposal process. Applications will open for next year’s grants in the fall. Click here to read full article.

Minnesota manufacturers expect stability in 2020

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Respondents to an annual Manufacturing Business Conditions Survey conducted by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis say they expect mostly unchanged or improved conditions in 2020. “It’s good news for Minnesota that the majority of manufacturers in our state expect stable or improved business conditions in 2020,” said Gov. Tim Walz. “Manufacturing is a cornerstone of our state economy, accounting for 14% of Minnesota’s GDP and 40% of all Minnesota jobs, either directly or indirectly.” Click here to read full article.

Minnesota politicians, businesses hopeful for new firework bill

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

A bill to legalize audible and aerial fireworks in Minnesota has started off with a “bang” in this year’s legislative session. Gov. Tim Walz recently voiced support for the bill, which would expand the types of fireworks people over 18 years old can buy in the state, including bottle rockets and Roman candles. Some people say legalizing this type of pyrotechnics will bring revenue back to the state, while others are concerned about increases in injuries and fire hazards. Click here to read full article.

The future of retail in the US: industry trends and market trends

Monday, February 24, 2020

Retail sales volume was higher in 2019 than ever before — and it will only continue trending upward as the entire experience becomes more streamlined and frictionless for customers. However, the face of the industry is changing rapidly; Business Insider Intelligence recently reported that in 2019 ecommerce sales surpassed 10% of total retail sales for the first time ever. The growing online trend impacts both e-tailers and brick-and-mortar sellers. Because merchants must embrace ecommerce to boost their own growth, the roles of solutions providers like BigCommerce and Shopify, as well as marketplaces like Amazon, could expand further in the coming years, due t...

Minnesota Creates High-Level Post to Help Connect Employers, Immigrants

Friday, February 21, 2020

The state is hiring its first-ever assistant commissioner for immigrant and refugee affairs, a position that will focus on economic development for Minnesota’s newest Americans. The position, which will be housed in the state Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), will work to identify and eliminate structural barriers keeping immigrants and refugees from joining the workforce and starting businesses, officials said as they announced the new assistant commissioner post. Click here to read full article.

American business world optimistic about $100B trade target with Turkey

Thursday, February 20, 2020

The presidents of the U.S and Turkey have agreed to keep the bilateral trade volume target separate from other problems ,and the U.S. business world has expressed optimism about economic relations with Turkey. President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an on Wednesday said he and U.S. President Donald Trump have decided to keep their target of reaching $100 billion in trade volume separate from other disputes between the two countries. The decision was agreed upon in a recent call with Trump, Erdo?an said. Click here to read full article.

Bank of America Community Development Banking Provided a Record $4.88 Billion in Lending and Investing in 2019

Thursday, February 20, 2020

Bank of America Community Development Banking (CDB) provided a record $4.88 billion in loans, tax credit equity investments, and other real estate development solutions, surpassing last year’s record of $4.7 billion. CDB delivers innovative financing solutions to help create affordable housing for individuals, families, seniors, students, veterans, the formerly homeless, and those with special needs. These efforts are part of the company’s commitment to deploying capital to address global issues outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Bank of America Global Corporate and Investment Banking also provided $351 million in tax credit investments, resulting in an additional 4,400 affordabl...

Delta lifts off with $1 billion pledge to become carbon neutral

Thursday, February 20, 2020

Delta Air Lines has become the latest aviation company setting its sights on becoming "carbon neutral," with an ambition to reach that target by 2030 and pledge to invest $1 billion in achieving the goal over the next 10 years. The investment will focus on driving innovation, advancing clean air travel technologies, accelerating reductions in waste and emissions, and establishing new offsetting and natural carbon sequestration projects, the company said. Click here to read full article.

MN economic development agency to hire assistant commissioner for immigrant affairs

Thursday, February 20, 2020

Citing a desire by Gov. Tim Walz to welcome new immigrants and refugees to Minnesota, the state office in charge of workforce development announced it will be creating a new assistant commissioner position to do just that. The Department of Employment and Economic Development announced this week they’ll be hiring an assistant commissioner for immigrant and refugee affairs. “Recognizing the vitally important role that new Americans play in Minnesota’s culture and economy, our state is renewing its promise to be a place where immigrants and refugees feel welcomed, supported, and valued,” the department said in a news release. Click here to read ful...

Small business confidence rises, signaling a more positive outlook for the US economy

Thursday, February 20, 2020

Small business sentiment is on the rise to kick off 2020, with confidence nearing all-time highs, according to data from CNBC and SurveyMonkey. The CNBC/SurveyMonkey Small Business Confidence Index climbed two points in the first quarter, from 59 to 61, as concerns over trade policy impacts lessened, thanks to a trade deal with China and the signing of the USMCA. This is a sharp turnaround from the lows seen last summer as trade turmoil weighed on Main Street’s outlook. Click here to read full article.

The Hidden Power of Guarantees in Community Development Finance

Thursday, February 20, 2020

If you’ve ever had someone co-sign a loan for you, then you know how a guarantee works. That other person, maybe a parent or relative, is promising the bank that in case you can’t make your monthly payment, they’ll make the payment in your place. If all goes well, your parent or relative may never need to step up for you. This process is often a formality, but it can also be a prohibitive barrier if you don’t have a parent or relative with good credit. Guarantees are a very common tool to support financial institutions themselves. The Federal Deposit Insuranc...

General Aviation’s Contribution to U.S. Economy Remains Strong

Wednesday, February 19, 2020

A group of seven general aviation associations today welcomed an updated study detailing the contributions of general aviation to the U.S. economy. The study, conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, determined that general aviation supports a total 1,179,200 jobs and a total of $246.8 billion in total economic output in the U.S. The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA), Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), Helicopter Association International (HAI), National Air Transportation Association (NATA) and National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) sponsored the study, with the support from JETNET LLC. and Conklin & de Decker. Leaders o...

Google Awards $175K to 5 Minnesota nonprofits through Impact Challenge

Friday, February 14, 2020

Google announced this week that it had selected five Minnesota nonprofits to receive funds as part of its Impact Challenge. The five winners were selected by a panel of local judges that includes Shawntera Hardy, co-founder of Civic Eagle; Eric Dayton, CEO of Askov Finlayson; and Gersson Rosas, the Timberwolves’ president of basketball operations. Each of the organizations will receive $175,000 to support projects aimed at creating economic opportunity in their communities. Click here to read full article.

Maple Grove approves plans for commercial site near Hy-Vee

Thursday, February 13, 2020

The Maple Grove City Council approved a new multi-tenant building development stage plan for the Markets at Rush Creek at its Feb. 3 meeting. The council also authorized the city to apply for a Minnesota Investment Fund Loan on behalf of a new business in Maple Grove. Click here to read full article.

Regional leaders need to join together to stay competitive in the global market

Thursday, February 13, 2020

In 2014, St. Petersburg, Fla. mayor Rick Kriseman and Tampa mayor Bob Buckhorn went on a trade mission to Chile. But, in recognizing that scale matters in such attempts at global competitiveness, the two mayors made their trip not as representatives of two separate cities, but as dual ambassadors of the Tampa Bay region. Prior to the trade mission, the economic development organizations (EDOs) of three neighboring Florida counties—Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Pasco—joined forces to create Global Tampa Bay, aligning their international business engagement strategy in a regional economic partnership. This meant pooling resources, sharing a budget, taking turns as chair, an...

Minnesota rebrands workforce career centers

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

One place to spend time searching for a job or positioning for a promotion is CareerForce. That’s the state’s recently rebranded workforce center system, with dozens of statewide locations and a new website at careerforcemn.com. “There’s never been a better time to find opportunities and have a little bit of time to explore them,” said Mike Lang, CareerForce job service director for the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). “With this tight labor market and the need to retain employees, this is a great time to negotiate and find opportunities that you would often not see during a period of hig...

All aboard! Wisconsin and Minnesota on track for improved passenger rail

Tuesday, February 11, 2020

A variety of railroad projects are coming together to greatly improve passenger service in Wisconsin, including “higher speed” rail. They include: doubling daily service between St. Paul and Chicago; increasing the number of round-trip Milwaukee to Chicago trains from seven to 10; express service between Minneapolis and Duluth-Superior; and, already underway, more than $5 million in improvements to the Milwaukee Airport Railroad Station at General Mitchell International Airport, with completion expected in 2023. Click here to read full article.

States, Governors Focus on Broadband Expansion

Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Governors across the country are increasingly prioritizing broadband deployment and high-speed internet access in a bid to resolve connectivity concerns that disproportionately hang over America's most rural communities. Of the 40 State of the State speeches delivered so far this year, 20 included references to high-speed internet access or state broadband installation projects, according to a U.S. News analysis of governors' prepared remarks. Click here to read full article.

‘Passport’ Program Connects Southern Minnesota Co-working Spaces

Tuesday, February 11, 2020

The ongoing expansion of co-working office space is largely an urban phenomenon. More than half of all Twin Cities co-working space is in downtown Minneapolis, according to the latest research from Cushman & Wakefield Minneapolis-St. Paul. But co-working has also taken root in outstate Minnesota. On Tuesday, six co-working spaces in Southern Minnesota announced the “Greater Minnesota Coworking Passport.” Twin Cities office brokers are forgiven for not knowing that there were any co-working spaces in southern Minnesota, much less six. The "Passport" allows members who join one of the half-dozen co-working spaces to work at any of the spaces within the program. Clic...

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...

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