Swift County RDA News

Minn. farmers: Cashing in on the carbon bank, fighting climate change?

Wednesday, August 04, 2021

The United States is making a big bet on the role that farmers can play in mitigating climate change. President Joe Biden said he wants American farmers to be the first in the world with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. How they might achieve that goal is still unclear — but one idea getting a lot of attention involves paying farmers to store carbon in the soil. It’s called carbon banking, and some see it as one way to reduce the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. While the concept has been around for decades, it’s still finding a foothold in ag-heav...

‘Revenge Tourism’ Is Breaking Booking Records At Some Minnesota Resorts And Hotels As Pandemic Wanes

Tuesday, August 03, 2021

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — If you’re hoping to book a last-minute trip out of town in Minnesota, you have some competition. Vacation spots across Minnesota tell WCCO they’re in for a busy summer season – with some breaking booking records. The Hewing Hotel in Minneapolis’s North Loop neighborhood is leaning in to the luxury staycation game. Adam Rucinski, director of revenue management for the hotel, says guests are eating it up. “Weekends we’re sold out,” Rucinski said. “We have a rooftop bar that has an indoor and outdoor space. We have the spa pool that is the only outdoor spa pool available in Minneapolis righ...

Minnesota Continues Job Growth Trend

Monday, August 02, 2021

Minnesota added 12,300 jobs for May, the fifth straight month that the state has posted job gains. That’s according to the latest statistics from the Minnesota Department of Economic Development and Employment (DEED). The private sector added 14,800 jobs. But those gains were offset by a loss of 2,500 government jobs for the month. DEED Commissioner Steve Grove was upbeat in a virtual press conference to discuss the latest numbers. “Minnesotans are getting back to work,” he said. “Our unemployment rate is dropping for the right reasons and there’s a lot of opportunity in the Minnesota economy as we come out of this pandemic an...

The mysterious lost workers: What’s driving the shortage?

Friday, July 30, 2021

A drive on just about any Minnesota highway reveals dozens of “Now hiring” signs from desperate employers, some offering hundreds of dollars in signing bonuses. Manufacturers, restaurant chains, agribusinesses, and health care organizations are among the many companies that say they’re in dire need of workers. In the Twin Cities, “Help Wanted” signs hang from windows of independent restaurants, cafés, auto repair shops, and countless other businesses. It’s a remarkable about-face from a year ago, when government-mandated shutdowns and a temporarily contracted economy forced many Minnesotans out of work. It’s also a phenomenon that has produced headline after headline about th...

The Critical Role Of Business Retention In Growing The State's Economy

Thursday, July 29, 2021

Economic strategy starts with building on core strengths and driving resources toward efforts that help existing businesses change and grow. This has been Grow Minnesota!’s model for over 18 years, and it will continue to be critical as Minnesota seeks to recover and advance its economy this decade. As the Minnesota Chamber Foundation shows in its recently released Minnesota: 2030 report, the state’s economy is poised to face an array of changes over the next decade, bringing both challenges and opportunities. Here are some findings from the Minnesota: 2030 outlook, and ideas for how business retention strategies can play a role in helping the state’...

How Close Is Minnesota’s Economy To Full Recovery?

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

April 2021 marked the one-year point from the largest economic downturn in Minnesota’s modern history. The shock to the economy last spring was staggering: Minnesota shed more than 400,000 jobs and lost over $36 billion dollars in GDP output, as in-person activities ground to a halt to slow the spread of COVID-19. To put this in perspective, Minnesota’s 2020 job losses exceeded the size of North Dakota’s entire workforce. Yet the unique circumstances surrounding this downturn – both the public health crisis that caused the downturn and the massive federal response to keep families and businesses afloat – meant that the pat...

How much could US states gain by closing racial and gender gaps in the labor market?

Tuesday, July 27, 2021

Imagine a future where racial and gender labor market disparities don’t exist. How much would each state economy stand to gain? That’s the question behind this simulation. While we can’t predict the future, we can look to the past for clues. For this thought experiment, we crunched the numbers for 15 years of data spanning 2005-2019. For every US state and Washington DC, we modeled how much gross domestic product (GDP) would have increased each year by eliminating racial and gender gaps in earnings, hours worked, educational attainment, and employment. This simulation adapts methodology from a recent Federal Reserve working paper, which estimates that thes...

Innovative education partnerships in agriculture and natural resources build workforce pipelines and economic ecosystems across Minnesota

Monday, July 26, 2021

Agriculture and Natural Resources are the foundation for much of Minnesota’s economy, and businesses are doing more with raw material than ever before. That also means that the workforce in agriculture and natural resources are becoming more skilled, and in a variety of ways. In turn, education programs across the state are responding to these changes and sometimes driving change themselves. For Agriculture and Natural Resources Month in June 2021, DEED’s workforce strategy consultants are highlighting some of the unique programming and partnerships that train the ever-evolving Agriculture and Natural Resources workforce. One of our primary roles is to coordinat...

Economic Opportunities for Immigrants and Refugees Interested in Agriculture and Food Business?Was Focus of June’s Immigrant and Refugee Affairs Forum

Friday, July 23, 2021

At June’s Immigrant and Refugee Affairs Forum, community leaders, state agencies, and nonprofit organizations came together to talk about the economic opportunities and challenges in the agriculture industry for Minnesota’s Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) farmers. The forum also shared a range of resources from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and community-based organizations for BIPOC Minnesota farmers. Emerging Farmers Working Group To kick off the discussion, MDA Assistant Commissioner Patrice Bailey shared information on the Emerging Farmers Working Group in Minnesota. This group is the first of its kind in the country...

June Edition of Minnesota Economic Trends

Thursday, July 22, 2021

Every quarter, the Labor Market Information (LMI) Office of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) publishes a slate of research articles that offer insights into important labor market trends. In the June 2021 issue of Minnesota Economic Trends, LMI analysts provide a summary look at Minnesota’s labor market and employment trends in our annual State of the State issue, including articles that focus on regional trends throughout the state. In addition, analysts take a deep dive on one of the driving questions of the day that many employers across Minnesota are asking: where are the workers? Here are some highlights: Stat...

How To Find New Investors For Your Opportunity Zones Before It's Too Late

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

How to find new investors for your Opportunity Zones before it's too late - Opportunity Fund directories, financial advisors, LinkedIn, and old-fashioned networking. Opportunity Zone legislation passed in 2017 and the incentives provided in the legislation are not going to go on forever. Savvy economic developers will take advantage of this limited-time incentive to attract investors to the Opportunity Zones in their community. Opportunity Zones are meant to promote growth in stagnant and underdeveloped regions of the country. There are more than 8,700 Opportunity Zones designated through the U.S. Read full article.

We've got your back: Why R&D and client support matter

Tuesday, July 20, 2021

One of the best parts of my job is interacting with each of our clients prior to and after they launch our industry-leading data tools. After all, economic development is ultimately about people - and the professionals I get to meet with are some of the hardest working people I've encountered, passionate about their communities and devoted to helping them prosper. I always say that we get our best ideas from listening to our clients. We're dedicated to ensuring your experience getting our tools up and running and working for you quickly Whether we're working with a full team from on...

How Technology Can Transform Your Business

Monday, July 19, 2021

The pandemic forced many companies to make big pivots, and by utilizing tech, some found ways to actually positively affect their overall business. Nicole Walters, founder and CEO of Inherit Learning Company and star of USA Network's She’s The Boss, recently spoke with Andres Wydler, executive director of StartOut, about the role technology played in shaping how the LGBTQ nonprofit operated over the last year — and the opportunities it unlocked. "By going virtual during the pandemic, we found the opportunity to turn all of our local events into national ones," he explained. StartOut immediately refocused its efforts from in-person to virtual events and, Wydler says, "The community responded incredibly positively. With tech, w...

3 Steps For Managing Your Small Business’s Taxes

Friday, July 16, 2021

Filing business-related taxes can often be a time-consuming and complicated process, especially for new entrepreneurs. Small business owners need a good understanding of the federal, state, and local taxes required to file. The types of taxes can range from income, employment, excise, and sales. It is critical that business owners are set up for success well before tax season. Here are three steps for managing your small business’s taxes. 1. Find the Right Accountant Most small business owners hire an accountant to ensure that all tax filing and payments are made correctly. Accountants help reduce the amount of time business owners spend o...

6 Inspirational Quotes On Small Business, Breaking Stereotypes And Resilience

Thursday, July 15, 2021

After one of the toughest years on record for the nation’s more than 30 million small businesses, one thing is certain—the American dream is alive and well. Those who weathered the storm pivoted to meet the moment: 95% of owners adapted their businesses in some way, and 50% launched new products, services or sales strategies, according to a recent survey of 10,000 small businesses by Goldman Sachs. Meanwhile, millions of Americans searching for jobs or purpose in their newly remote work lives fueled an explosion in entrepreneurship not seen in decades. With our Next 1000 list, we’re on a year-round missio...

Covid's Explosion

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

High unemployment, the magnifying power of the web and fresh fintech financing are fueling an eruption of startups not seen in decades. And America will never go back to business as usual. In the gritty, gray concrete lobby of Firebrand Collective—a women’s coworking space in Kansas City’s industrial West Bottoms district—Jackie Nguyen makes lattes laced with cardamom and lychee from her colorful mobile coffee shop. A colossal dragon head covers the shop, Cafe Cà Phê, painted the bold yellow and red of the South Vietnamese flag, with dashes of bright blue in a nod to the French influence on the country’s food. “An...

Homeownership Benefits for the Individual and the Community

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

The housing market is thriving, and Swift County encourages readers to explore the vast benefits homeownership brings to families, neighborhoods, and communities alike. We strive to make homeownership a reality for individuals who dream of owning a home and now is the perfect time to begin your home buying journey. Mortgage rates are low and more houses are put on the market every day. Homeownership is important, and we can help you find the connections you need to become a homeowner, too. Why Homeownership Matters Part of the quintessential “American Dream” is homeownership. Homeownership brings with it financial stability, pride and equity...

Mitigate the Risks of Supply Chain Disruption

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

If the recent pandemic has taught business leaders anything, it’s that solid readiness planning through diversification and data analysis can reduce the impact when a crisis hits. Nearly half of operations leaders surveyed in the recent PwC US Pulse Survey indicated that reducing supply chain disruptions is “very important.” But few companies are ready to make the costly move of reshoring or nearshoring, even though a recent executive order put an emphasis on the potential upsides of moving supply chains to — or closer to — the United States or allied countries. Recent changes to multinational trade agreements also further complicate supply chain...

Adapting to a New Workplace Ecosystem

Monday, July 12, 2021

Agile work is increasing due to the pandemic. Having experienced some of the benefits of working from home — such as reduced commutes, increased ability to balance work and life, preferred space to execute individualized focus work, etc. — more office workers are going to expect flexibility in where they work. Recognizing this coming shift is the easy part. Understanding how portfolio and workplace strategies need to adjust — and then executing on those adjustments — is the challenge. In order to explore and better understand how organizations are thinking about these changes, Cushman & Wakefield partnered with CoreNet Global to surve...

Speed to Market Is Key in Landing High-Impact Projects as Economic Recovery Ramps Up

Friday, July 09, 2021

With pent-up demand for growth coming to fruition amid the nation’s economic recovery, speed to market has become more critical than ever for companies in expansion mode. For decision-makers at businesses considering a new location, states capable of streamlining the selection process stand to gain a significant leg up on the competition. Kentucky is matching companies’ sense of urgency and expediting project timelines in a way many others states cannot, an advantage that could help effect profound change through increased investment and job creation. Speed to market not only provides a benefit to growing companies, it’s also a catalyst for creatin...

A Renewed Focus on Workforce Diversity

Thursday, July 08, 2021

While 2020 will certainly be remembered for the COVID-19 pandemic, the year also turned out to be transformative on the diversity and inclusion front (D&I). While much of the world sat socially distanced in their homes, we watched as our fellow Americans expressed outrage and grief over the gaps in opportunity and equity experienced by people of color. While it may have been expected that a global pandemic would shape site location strategy, is it possible that D&I initiatives would also alter the future of site location strategies? A Wake-Up Call With the social unrest and calls to action that 2020 brought...

A New Approach to Energy Savings for Your Next Manufacturing Plant

Wednesday, July 07, 2021

With the rapid increase in natural gas production and over two million miles of natural gas pipelines throughout the U.S., many corporate officials expect accessing gas infrastructure and service to be simple. Unfortunately, many prime industrial sites lack adequate pipeline infrastructure, and project managers have found it increasingly difficult and complex to develop new pipelines. No Pipeline = No Gas Manufacturers typically look to either a local gas distribution company (LDC) or an interstate transmission company to secure access to the energy and manufacturing feedstocks they need. While both good options, often the parties have divergent business objectives. This can result i...

Join Us MN Innovation

Friday, June 04, 2021

Welcome Portia Robertson Migas, Greater MSP'S New Vice President Of Marketing & Communications

Thursday, June 03, 2021

GREATER MSP is pleased to announce Portia Robertson Migas as the new Vice President of Marketing and Communications. In this position, Portia will serve as ‘chief executive storyteller’ and global brand strategist for the region. She will be responsible for managing and leading all aspects of the GREATER MSP Partnership’s marketing and communication strategy, campaigns, media and public relations, issues management and program initiatives. Portia will create and execute an innovative strategic marketing and communications plan in collaboration with GREATER MSP's hardworking, professional staff and a set of marketing and communications leaders from across the region. Portia has more than 20 years of experience in a variety o...

Bushel Boy President on Labor Shortage and the Future of Indoor Farming

Wednesday, June 02, 2021

When Chuck Tryon took over as president of Owatonna-based Bushel Boy Farms in early October 2020, the U.S. was still a couple months away from an approved Covid-19 vaccine. In late November, Minnesota would go on to experience its worst peak of Covid cases. Like virtually every business at the time, Bushel Boy faced a great deal of uncertainty. But that’s not just because of the pandemic. A more pressing concern? A shortage of workers to staff Bushel Boy’s tomato greenhouses in Greater Minnesota and Iowa. The company has two indoor farming operations: One at its homebase in Owatonna, and another in Maso...

Why Economic Developers Need To Market Their Opportunity Zones Now

Tuesday, June 01, 2021

Why economic developers need to market their Opportunity Zones now is to attract investors to the underfunded areas of their communities. Opportunity Zone legislation passed in 2017 and is designed to promote growth in stagnant and underdeveloped regions of the country. There are more than 8,700 Opportunity Zones designated through the U.S. in all 50 states, Washington D.C., and five U.S. territories. Opportunity Zones identify areas where investment is needed to revitalize communities hit the hardest by socio-economic stress. Residents who live in areas designated as Opportunity Zones tend to suffer from unequal economic growth and access to capital. This ha...

Economic development webinars you don't want to miss

Monday, May 31, 2021

So much goes into strategy and planning for economic recovery and this line-up of free professional development webinars is designed to help you and your team take on the challenges that lie ahead. From a closer look to the interactive data you offer prospective investors and existing businesses to automatic property data feeds, from a guest panel of economic developers sharing strategies from their communities to questions about GIS tools and what brokers want you to know, these free online workshops are well worth your time. Can't attend at those dates or times? No problem! Register anyway to ensure you ge...

The plain truth about virtual site visits for commercial real estate

Friday, May 28, 2021

There's a lot of talk and excitement among economic developers about using virtual tours to profile commercial real estate to potential investors and site selectors who may not be able to visit in person because of the pandemic. We get that - it IS genuinely exciting. There are so many compelling new ways to let people see a property - inside and out - from the comfort and safety of their offices. Even after the pandemic recedes, this will remain an excellent way to engage and inform businesses making location decisions. Unfortunately, there's also a lot of miscommunication and misinformation about what virtua...

4 Ways to Get Your Attention Back on Track and Stay Focused

Thursday, May 27, 2021

The following excerpt is from Dr. Nadine Greiner’s book Stress-Less Leadership. Buy it now from Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books | IndieBound or click here to buy it directly from us and SAVE 60% on this book when you use code LEAD2021 through 4/10/21. It can be hard to concentrate. Even on your best days, you're surrounded by distractions. When you struggle to concentrate, you can’t focus on what needs to be done, you waste time and you stress yourself out. It’s time to review some solutions. Lay out the work and stick to it When you embark on a task without a plan, it’s like going on a road trip without a map. You need to know where you’r...

It's Time You Master Google Analytics to Help Grow Your Business

Wednesday, May 26, 2021

Being inquisitive about data is essential for any web-based business. How are you going to operate a website without knowing how people are actually using it? That's why Google Analytics is so crucial for any business running a website. It will give you the insights you need to make better decisions about your content, web optimization, SEO, and more. This free tool is preferred by millions worldwide as a simple way to understand their web traffic and make improvements to their websites. If you're ready to learn GA, The Google Analytics Master Class Bundle is a great place to start. This five-course bundle comprises 12 hour...

Spruce Up Your Office or Workspace with These 10 Must-Have Items

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

Whether you're working from home for the foreseeable future or you're about to head back to working in person, there's no time like spring to update your office. We've rounded up some of the coolest items on sale right now to spruce up your office. Plus, during our storewide Spring Savings promo, when you spend $75, you'll get $10 in-store credit to put towards even more cool stuff for the future. Check out some of today's offers. Mobile Pixels TRIO: Portable Dual Screen Laptop Monitor Need some more screen space? This innovative Indiegogo-funded multi-screen laptop accessory lets you add two additional monitors to your laptop...

Why You Should Hire Someone With Disabilities

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

Hiring someone with a disability isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s the lagniappe thing to do. What is lagniappe? Minnesota author and playwright, Kevin Kling tells us it's that extra "something something" found in Cajun cooking that keeps you coming back for more. When you hire someone with a disability, you lead by example. It shows you trust a new perspective and that you’re confident in yourself, that person and your team. Click here to read full article.

3 Technologies You Can Use to Re-Skill Your Employees

Monday, May 24, 2021

The following excerpt is from Caroline Stokes’s book Elephants Before Unicorns. Buy it now from Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books | IndieBound or click here to buy it directly from us and SAVE 60% on this book when you use code CAREER2021 through 4/17/21. I’d like to introduce you to three technologies that will help people leaders discover talent and fuel your teams’ evolution to avoid dinosaur syndrome (falling behind in terms of the skill and functionality of your teams). Let’s walk briefly through each of them. Bias Avoidance Talent Matching The first tool is SquarePeg, a matching service for job seekers and employers that uses online assessments to measure a candidate’s aptitude, preferences and character traits, and determine whic...

Kevin’s Story: Overcoming Challenges to Work in IT for the State of Minnesota

Monday, May 24, 2021

Four years ago, Kevin had what turned out to be a pivotal conversation, although he didn’t know it then. The conversation happened when Kevin was referred to a local community rehabilitation provider where Frank Herd was then working. Kevin hoped to find a technology-related job and Frank suggested that he might be a good candidate for the Connect 700 (C700) program, a trial work program that allows for a non-competitive selection process for individuals with disabilities who want to work in Minnesota state government. C700 allows qualified individuals up to 700 hours to prove they can perform the required job responsibilities whil...

Laid Off During Pandemic, Bruno Gets Training to Land Fulfilling Tech Job

Friday, May 21, 2021

Bruno was working as a leasing consultant, making $13 an hour, when the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in his layoff. At the time, Bruno was considering a career in food systems management, but the pandemic affected that industry as well. Bruno always had an interest in computer applications, so he researched various training opportunities and became interested in a software engineering program at Prime Digital Academy. This is when he found out that CareerForce partner Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis (JFCS) could assist with the training. Bruno contacted JFCS and was enrolled in the Dislocated Worker program. His counselor, Anna Ferdelman, helped him identif...

The 9-Step Quick Guide to Rehabbing Your Career

Friday, May 21, 2021

The following excerpt is from Kanika Tolver’s book Career Rehab. Buy it now from Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes or click here to buy it directly from us and SAVE 60% on this book when you use code CAREER2021 through 4/17/21. One of the most important phases of your career rehab journey is creating your Rehab YOU career blueprint. Become the architect of your career by considering your desired career path, location, salary, scope, organization type, benefits and perks and mentors. You’ll start to feel more confident in your career renovations as you craft your vision of your dream career. Here’s how to get started: 1. Be a brand, not an employee Most employees don’t see themselve...

Leadership Strategies For Making Employees Happy

Thursday, May 20, 2021

As a leader, it’s no surprise that one of your most crucial jobs is making sure employees are productive day in and day out. Many leaders have attempted to increase team productivity by introducing state-of-the-art technologies and testing the most successful workflow methods they could find. Unfortunately, they’re missing a key ingredient. The best way to spur productivity is to make your employees happy. Don’t just take my word for it. In 2019, Oxford University's Saïd Business School published research stating that workers are 13% more productive when they’re feeling happy. Not only is productivity significantly improved, but happy employees are more likely t...

UnitedHealth Group: Disability Employment in a Technology Company

Thursday, May 20, 2021

With the 21st-century economy increasingly reliant on a dizzying array of new technologies, it’s no exaggeration to say that nearly every business in every sector of the economy is in some way a “technology company.” Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group (UHG)– a provider of health care, insurance, and technologies – certainly qualifies as one. And each of the many companies that make up UHG’s global footprint embraces the ideal of a diverse and inclusive workplace, a recruitment and hiring practice that includes employing people with disabilities. UHG views disability inclusion not just as an opportunity to recruit a historically underutilized population and ta...

BIPOC in Tech: Inspiring Discussion Among Local Black Leaders About Opportunities

Wednesday, May 19, 2021

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and MnTech hosted a virtual panel discussion on Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) representation in today’s tech industry featuring three Black entrepreneurs. The panel included BIPOC tech professionals at the forefront of the discussion, including: Jonathan Banks, President and Founding Partner of NCXT; Erin Horne McKinney, CEO of WomenVenture; and Caroline Karanja, CEO of Hack the Gap. The discussion was facilitated by Jade Denson, Vice President, Programming & Member Experience at MnTech. Click here to read full article.

How To Be Creative As An Entrepreneur

Wednesday, May 19, 2021

You might think that creativity requires the antithesis of rules and regulation. Even the thought of being creative conjures up images of disorder. Messy rooms, paint everywhere, scraps of paper with ideas scrawled across them. The frantic creative genius works away, oblivious to the world around them. Chaos. Method in madness. Flashes of brilliance among a cluttered existence. The best entrepreneurs are creative. They need to find ways of solving old and new problems. They picture a world that doesn’t yet exist, they bring products to life using only their imagination. They think of ways to move forward, grow bigger an...

Diversity in Tech: Steps to Take Toward Inclusivity

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

The tech industry has created tremendous efficiencies that have accelerated business growth and innovation while capturing wealth. In the last decade, there has been a growing interest in diversifying this industry that has such an impact on how we work, communicate, and consume products and services. Yet, increasing the diversity in the tech industry has been elusive and challenging. Companies have expressed interest in finding diverse talent but often seem to come up short – stating that they cannot find qualified talent, or, as some executives I’ve talked with have stated recently, “they just simply don’t exist.” Concurrently, many candidates fro...

The Secret To Business Survival In Today’s Tough Market

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

As we were ringing in 2020, it’s safe to say that almost no one could have imagined the novel year that was virtually at our doorsteps. Like a monsoon, Covid-19 arrived, and with it a plethora of changes to not only how we live and work, but how business is conducted. Quarantines and lockdowns became a way of life, forcing companies to transform how they operate. Office staff, sales reps, and others who were considered non-essential workers began working from home. In-person meetings and sales calls became a thing of the past, replaced by collaboration tools to boost the efficiency o...

One Year After The First Wave Of Pandemic Jobs Losses, U.S. Adds Nearly A Million Jobs In March

Monday, May 17, 2021

A year after the devastating first wave of pandemic-related job losses came to light, the U.S. added 916,000 jobs in March, the Labor Department said Friday. It’s an encouraging sign on the anniversary of what was an especially distressing week for the workforce. Weekly jobless claims surged to a staggering 6.65 million for the week ending March 28, 2020. At the time, it was the highest level ever recorded. That month, the U.S. economy lost a total of 701,000 jobs in the first payroll decline since 2010. This March, the unemployment rate fell slightly to 6%—down from 6.2% in February. It’s a stark difference from the unemploymen...

Training and scholarship opportunities for economic development professionals

Monday, May 17, 2021

Committed to strengthening the knowledge, skills and diversity of Minnesota’s economic development professionals, the nonprofit Minnesota Economic Development Foundation is promoting upcoming training opportunities and offering scholarships for professional development. The Minnesota Economic Development Foundation sponsors the “Upper Midwest Basic Economic Development Course,” a 5-day course that provides comprehensive training in the basic concepts, methods, and strategies of local economic development. This course is accredited by the International Economic Development Council and fulfills a requirement for taking the Certified Economic Development exam. Click here to read full article.

Broadband Roundtable: Internet Access and Speed Are Key to Economic Growth, Business Vitality, Health and Education

Friday, May 14, 2021

St. Paul – Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Commissioner Steve Grove and DEED's Office of Broadband Development Executive Director Angie Dickison were joined by seven industry and community advocates from broadband coalitions and nonprofit groups for a discussion on March 30 about the importance of broadband access to economic growth, business vitality, health and education. This roundtable was part of a broader series of discussions the agency is hosting called "The Next Minnesota Economy," focusing on inclusive economic growth, reskilling our labor market and creating good jobs. Click here to read full article.

Cultivate a Second Life for Decommissioned Power Plants

Friday, May 14, 2021

The generation landscape for utilities is in a state of constant change. The decarbonization movement is driving difficult decisions as coal-fired power plants close amid the transition to renewable generation. But there is opportunity within that disruption. Decommissioned power plant sites offer industrial developers a great deal of opportunity — specifically, decades of well-maintained assets. The majority of these facilities were built more than 50 years ago with access to everything they needed to operate — connections that would require extensive time and capital investments to put in place today. Rather than seeking greenfield locations, industrial developers should take a close...

3D Manufacturing and COVID-19

Thursday, May 13, 2021

3D Printing v. 3D Manufacturing “3D printing” is a collective term for several different technologies for building parts layer by layer. Recently, hybrid systems have begun to integrate 3D printers and traditional manufacturing techniques, like milling, drilling, polishing, and the ability to pick and place components that cannot yet be 3D printed. I call the process performed by hybrid systems “3D manufacturing,” also known as direct digital manufacturing. 3D printing is for making parts in a single machine. 3D manufacturing is for making complete products, like fully functioning electronic devices, in one machine. Two of the great promises of 3D manufacturing ar...

Launch Minnesota Awards over $376,000 in Innovation Grants to Startups

Thursday, May 13, 2021

St. Paul – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced that it has awarded $376,075 in Launch Minnesota Innovation Grants to startup businesses. With these awards, the full $3.2 million in biennium funding for fiscal years 2020 and 2021 has now been allocated. In this latest round, DEED awarded innovation grants to 15 startups. Of those, nine are targeted businesses, which include BIPOC-owned (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), woman-owned, and businesses located in Greater Minnesota. Click here to read full article.

35th Annual Survey of Corporate Executives Commentary: Survey Reflects Rapidly Changing Real Estate Environment

Wednesday, May 12, 2021

COVID 19’s impact on real estate last year was an accelerator of trends, a disrupter — more than even the Black Swan event of the financial crisis in 2008 — and exposed dramatic weaknesses and vulnerabilities in many supply chains. This year’s annual Corporate Survey gives light to some of these impacts and trends. Of the respondents, 60 percent of whom were either the CEO or owner, 57 percent were in the manufacturing or warehouse business, and 30 percent said they were going to expand operations. More customers than ever had groceries delivered to their homes and the requirement for ultra-cold storag...

Innovation Roundtable: Entrepreneurs Share How Launch MN and the Angel Tax Credit Helped Them Succeed

Wednesday, May 12, 2021

St. Paul – Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Commissioner Steve Grove and Launch Minnesota Executive Director Neela Mollgaard were joined by entrepreneurs and support organizations for a discussion about what startups need to be successful and how Minnesota can encourage more investment in entrepreneurship and innovation. This roundtable was part of a broader series of discussions the agency is hosting called “The Next Minnesota Economy,” focusing on inclusive economic growth, reskilling our labor market and creating good jobs. Click here to read full article.

35th Annual Survey of Corporate Executives Commentary: Has the Pandemic Affected the Ranking of Site Selection Factors?

Tuesday, May 11, 2021

Will the 2020 Corporate Survey provide us with insight into the needs and priorities of companies and developers, or will the effects of the pandemic and global trade tensions have created a focus on location factors relevant to a temporary business climate that most of us hope will return to a more familiar environment? My crystal ball is as good as the next pundit’s, but in speaking with clients, in reviewing responses in the 2020 Corporate Survey, and in interpreting current events and investment trends, my view is that those organizations that have adapted to new ways of working, solving problems...

Governor Proclaims April Technology Workforce Month in Minnesota

Tuesday, May 11, 2021

St. Paul – Governor Tim Walz has proclaimed April 2021 Technology Month in Minnesota. It’s an opportunity to draw attention to our technology sector and workforce and its importance to Minnesota’s economy. While the importance of these jobs has been highlighted during the pandemic, technology workers have been in demand in Minnesota’s economy for a long time and represent some of the highest-paid, best jobs in our state. According to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Labor Market Information (LMI) Office, the state of Minnesota is home to about 110,000 people working in Information Technology occupations. That’s about 3.8% of tota...

35th Annual Survey of Corporate Executives Commentary: Change in Site Selection Priorities and Plans Over the Short and Long Term

Monday, May 10, 2021

The Corporate Survey results reflect the current situation. The pandemic has not changed the corporate real estate strategy of many companies (confirmed by 76 percent) to go forward with domestic and international investments, but it has slowed it down. For example, travel restrictions still limit the possibility of foreign companies to visit possible sites in the U.S. Nevertheless, several new projects have started including FDI ones. As the survey shows, reshoring, near-shoring, and offshoring seem not to be happening. Companies are also tending to do more geographical diversification of their plants and expanding existing facilities. We are already seeing larg...

Minnesota Small Business Development Centers Partner with First Children’s Finance to Support Minnesota’s Child Care Industry

Monday, May 10, 2021

St. Paul – Under a partnership agreement announced today, First Children’s Finance will operate as the first statewide satellite center in the Minnesota Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) Network – providing specialized business and financial assistance to child care businesses across Minnesota at no cost to the businesses. Minnesota SBDC is part of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). “Without access to affordable child care, parents can’t earn a living, businesses can’t recruit reliable workers, and children miss out on early educational opportunities,” said DEED Commissioner Steve Grove. “This has never been more apparent than during the pandemic – an...

2020: When Your Data Center Becomes Your Real HQ

Friday, May 07, 2021

Last year delivered plenty of wakeup calls to corporate real estate executives, but perhaps none bigger than this: Your site selection process for your company’s data center operations now carries more importance than your site selection for your corporate headquarters. In a world where remote work has become the norm for most non-industrial jobs, the headquarters facility has become a ghost town. Taking its place in critical importance is the data center, the lifeblood of your company’s entire global operation. The data center is what keeps you connected to your employees, your employees connected to each other, and your company connected t...

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Thursday, May 06, 2021

Machinery Still Revs the Economy, But Logistics and Life Sciences Are Where the Growth Is

Thursday, May 06, 2021

Judging by the number of e-commerce and health-related facility investments all around us in this pandemic year, you’d expect those categories to vault to the top of any global ranking by industry sector. They didn’t quite reach the summit, but logistics (+19.3%) and life sciences (+12%) show the biggest — and only — growth rates among the Top Industries of 2020, as judged by the number of projects tracked by NAICS code in the Conway Data Analytics Database. The database since the 1980s has tracked facility investments by corporate end users across all world geographies and all industry sectors. Life sciences rise...

2020 Governor's Cups

Wednesday, May 05, 2021

It’s déjà vu all over again. Only the project numbers are different where Ohio and Texas — the 2020 Governor’s Cup winning states for per capita and total projects respectively — are concerned. They’re down a bit from the previous year, but impressive nonetheless for a year all states endured a pandemic-induced economic crunch. Both states were the winner in their category last year as well. Ohio finishes the per capita facilities race with 419, down from 448 in 2019. Texas, the total projects winner for the ninth consecutive year, has 781 projects for 2020; it had 859 qualifying project...

COVID-19 Vaccine Resources For Businesses

Tuesday, May 04, 2021

As of March 30, all Minnesotans 16 years of age and older will be eligible to receive a vaccine. Minnesota has directed providers to prioritize vaccine appointments for people most at risk of getting COVID-19, or those who could develop severe illness if infected. This includes older Minnesotans, those with underlying health conditions, and those in essential jobs. How to help employees receive a vaccine: Help employees find where to get vaccinated: They can receive them through the health care provider, at a pharmacy and others. The state offers a vaccine locator map to help employers and employees. Host an on-site vaccination: Just like hosting an on-site fl...

NEMOJT provides interview tips and tricks for job-seekers

Monday, May 03, 2021

CareerForce has provided some preparation tips to assist job-seekers in their interview process. CareerForce is a unified, cohesive network of private, public, and nonprofit partners throughout Minnesota committed to providing career development. Read full article.

Essential and Emerging Skills Sought by Minnesota Employers Now

Friday, April 30, 2021

As business needs continue to evolve in response to the pandemic, many employers are putting new emphasis on finding candidates with essential workplace skills. According to RealTime Talent, while many job postings include post-secondary or technical training as a requirement, there are also many jobs for which employers are specifically seeking essential soft skills, such as time management, written communication, building collaborative relationships, self-confidence, and being a forward-thinker. This article takes a closer look at what skills are most sought by Minnesota employers now and what skills are emerging as the new foundational skills career seekers should try to develo...

CareerForce helps Ryan navigate job search challenges

Thursday, April 29, 2021

Having not had to look for work for decades, Ryan was overwhelmed by all the things he had to do and the changes which had happened in the job search process since he last needed to look for work. “I found it very difficult to proceed, even in the things I knew I could do, said Ryan. “I took several courses from CareerForce and though they were very helpful and full of ideas and important information, I found myself utterly overwhelmed with the many things I could and should do.” Ryan also had some specific challenges to overcome in finding new employment...

Support Local Businesses in Swift County During Small Business Week

Thursday, April 29, 2021

Many local businesses are beginning a journey of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and as Small Business Week approaches, it’s a great time to show support. The month of May includes two recognition weeks - Small Business Week and the 2021 National Economic Development Week. Community members looking for an opportunity to support local businesses can show their support during the month of May by shopping for local goods and services. Small Business Week The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) holds National Small Business Week in the first week of May each year. The COVID-19 pandemic forced 2020’s event to occur i...

HOM Superstore to Replace Oakdale Multiplex

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Now that big screen releases stream straight to our homes, consumers are apparently more likely to leave the house to buy a comfortable recliner than to visit a movie theater. And so it goes in the aftermath of a pandemic that devastated the theater industry: HOM Furniture snapped up the shuttered Vision 20 Movie Theatre building in Oakdale and plans a 155,000-square-foot retail complex in its place. HOM revealed Wednesday that it will add a 60,000-square-foot second level to the 98,000-square-foot theater building. The megastore will feature several of the Coon Rapids-based retailer’s brands: HOM Furniture, DOCK86, Sleep Express, Seasonal Concepts Patio, and HO...

Cretex to Build 245,000-Square-Foot Medical Device Plant in Brooklyn Park

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Elk River-based Cretex Cos. late last week unveiled plans to build a 245,000-square-foot medical device manufacturing facility in Brooklyn Park. In a news release, the company said the new facility will be dedicated to “medical device contract manufacturing,” which means Cretex will use the plant to build parts for other medical device makers. CEO Jeff Wollerman said the facility will bring the company’s “capabilities together under one roof.” Cretex has reached an agreement to buy land at the intersection of highways 610 and 169, which is already home to a number of manufacturing plants, including a Tesla engineering center and Takeda Pharmaceutical Co.’s biologic...

A degree helps Laura find family-sustaining employment

Monday, April 26, 2021

Laura had worked as a bookkeeper at various companies for over 20 years, but without an accounting degree, she often experienced difficulty in finding a good-paying job. After a company she worked for was sold and all of the jobs at the company went to another country, Laura was able to get help through Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), which helps people who lose work as a result of foreign competition. Thanks to TAA and with help from TAA representative Ann Malz and Mark Pozzini at CareerForce in Woodbury, Laura was able to go to school to get her Associates Degree in Accounting. “Withou...

'We were able to buy a house!' How CareerForce changed Jeff and Sheila's lives

Friday, April 23, 2021

In 2019, Jeff and Sheila were living in a camper with no running water, electric or sewer. They were unemployed and living on $600 a month. “We both have felonies from more than 20 years ago and believed we could not get a job and because so many places now do a criminal background,” said Sheila, who said the criminal record also impacted where they lived. “We believed we could not live any place other than where we were living.” Then, Jeff and Sheila made a call to CareerForce in Virginia, Minnesota to find out if there were any options or hel...

Roundtable on Youth Jobs and Development Highlights Importance of Engaging Young People in Employment Opportunities

Thursday, April 22, 2021

St. Paul – Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Commissioner Steve Grove and Deputy Commissioner Hamse Warfa held a virtual roundtable on Friday, March 19 focused on the impact of the pandemic on youth jobs. The discussion was attended by employers across the state and is part of a push to place more young people into great jobs this coming summer. The roundtable is part of a broader series of discussions the agency is hosting called “The Next Minnesota Economy,” focusing on inclusive economic growth, reskilling our labor market and creating good jobs. “We want to help employers enable a surg...

Small Businesses Share How Minnesota’s Small Business Development Centers Helped them Weather the Pandemic

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

St. Paul – Wednesday was national Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Day and Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Commissioner Steve Grove and SBDC State Director Bruce Strong engaged in a lively, productive discussion with several small business owners and SBDC advisory board members from across the state. Business owners related stories about the challenges they’ve faced starting and running businesses both before and during the pandemic. Participants talked about the value of Minnesota’s network of Small Business Development Centers which assisted more than 5,835 Minnesota entrepreneurs and businesses in 2020, providing over 32,900 professional consulting hours at no cos...

What You Need To Start Doing Now To Attract Remote Workers

Tuesday, April 20, 2021

You want to dip into the remote workforce honey pot, so here's what you need to start doing to attract remote workers today! Remote workers balance out the economic climate for communities, bring in new skillsets to the local workforce, grow the tax base, and reduce the carbon footprint by eliminating a long commute. An abundance of remote workers are looking to relocate to communities that check all the boxes on their want/need list. Tap into this opportunity now with these simple steps. CREATE A REMOTE WORKFORCE ATTRACTION STRATEGY Economic developers should start by building a step-by-step remote workforce attraction strategy. Preparing thes...

Economic development webinars you don't want to miss

Monday, April 19, 2021

4 Basic Business Tools New Entrepreneurs Need To Succeed

Friday, April 16, 2021

This year, many eager new entrepreneurs are ready to hit the ground running with their startups and hopefully experience a year less challenging than the previous one. When launching a new business, it’s important to consider what business tools and core essentials small businesses need in order to thrive in today’s "new normal." I help entrepreneurs incorporate and form limited liability companies, so I generally tend to share advice on legal must-haves for small businesses, like business formations, trademarks, and tax IDs. However, I’m not going to do that this time around. Let’s assume you have obtained these items already. What other tools are necessar...

The 20 Happiest Countries In The World In 2021 (Guess Where The U.S. Ranked?)

Thursday, April 15, 2021

Who doesn’t need some happy news these days? Just in time for the United Nation’s annual International Day of Happiness on March 20, the results of the 2021 World Happiness Report have been released—and the results will put a smile on your face, despite the ongoing pandemic that has killed more than 2.6 million people around the globe. For the fourth year in a row, Finland has been named the happiest country in the world, with Iceland coming in second, followed by Denmark, Switzerland and the Netherlands. And during a challenging time for the United States, things improved here, too. The U.S. shot up to numbe...

35th Annual Corporate Survey: Effects of Global Pandemic Reflected in Executives’ Site and Facility Plans

Wednesday, April 14, 2021

The challenges faced in 2020 were unlike any other confronted in our lifetime. The global pandemic wreaked havoc on our personal and professional lives and the U.S. and global economies. The Commerce Department reports that U.S. GDP declined 3.5 percent in 2020, with the economy falling into recession in February 2020 — a month before the World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a pandemic. The 3.5 percent decline is the worst year for the U.S. economy since at least the end of World War II, as reported by CNBC. As the novel coronavirus caused businesses to shut down, the U.S. unemployment rate rose from ...

Indoor Farming is for Real

Tuesday, April 13, 2021

Jonathan Webb’s quixotic dream is coming true. AppHarvest, the ag-tech venture he founded four years ago in Kentucky coal country, went public in February after shipping its first consignment of beefsteak tomatoes weeks earlier from what is North America’s biggest greenhouse. AppHarvest tomatoes now are available in chains such as Publix, Kroger, Walmart and Food City. Originally backed by celebrity investors including Steve Case, Martha Stewart, J.D. Vance and the NBA’s Blake Griffin, AppHarvest hopes to grow 45 million pounds of tomatoes a year at its environmentally sound, $97 million indoor farm in Morehead. AppHarvest announced plans in 2020 for two ne...

7 Brilliant Ways To Grow Your Remote Workforce

Monday, April 12, 2021

These 7 brilliant ways to grow your remote workforce will help you reap the benefits of the work from home movement! The advantages of a remote workforce for workers, employers, and the towns and states they reside in are many. TAP INTO THE WORK FROM HOME MOVEMENT 70% of the American workforce is likely to work remotely at least five days every month by 2025. A large number of remote workers will spend much more time than that at home. The remote workforce experiences a better work-life balance, higher productivity, and more flexibility while contributing a large number of benefits to the loca...

How to Use Automation (and Avoid the Pitfalls) as an Entrepreneur

Friday, April 09, 2021

All over the world, entrepreneurs are turning to a powerful tool to improve their efficiency and raw output: automation. Often hailed as the ultimate weapon for increasing productivity, automation certainly has a lot of advantages. But it’s not guaranteed to be effective. In fact, when used incorrectly, automation can end up working against you. To use automation effectively, you need to understand its strengths and weaknesses and build a strategy around them. Why automation is useful These days, you can automate a variety of work functions and activities. If you’re producing a physical good, you can likely automate production with the right machinery. If you’r...

Google Adds New Features To Help Remote Workers, And Other Small Business Tech News

Thursday, April 08, 2021

Here are five things in technology that happened this past week and how they affect your business. Did you miss them? 1—Google Workspace is adding new features to help remote workers. Google recently added some new features to Google Workspace in order to help those working remotely collaborate and improve their workflows. Some of the new features include making a Workspace available for frontline workers and officially launching Google Assistant for Workspace—the company’s audio assistant—for all Workspace users. Additional features will also be available such as improvements to Google Meet video calls, time management features, status setting, and multi-lingual live captioning...

Ring Lights And Late Nights: How The Remote Revolution Has Changed The Workforce

Wednesday, April 07, 2021

It’s been one year since the World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a pandemic, forcing companies across the country to close their office doors. Today, nearly half (47%) of American employees are currently working from home at least part of the time, according to a study by Glassdoor. As vaccine production and distribution ramps up, some employers have announced definitive return-to-work dates. Others have committed to permanent remote-work arrangements, and freelance platform Upwork expects that 36.2 million Americans will be working from home by 2025, an 87% increase from pre-pandemic levels—and a sign that this grand experiment in telecommuting has done more than just make Zoo...

Machinery Still Revs the Economy, But Logistics and Life Sciences Are Where the Growth Is

Tuesday, April 06, 2021

Launch Minnesota Receives National Award as a Small Business Administration “Super Connector”

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

St. Paul – Launch Minnesota – an initiative of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) designed to accelerate the growth of startups and amplify Minnesota as a national leader in innovation – has received a national award as a “Super Connector” in the new Lab-to-Market (L2M) Competition sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in partnership with the National Science and Technology. The competition drew over 160 submissions from across the country and awarded $330,000 in prizes. Launch Minnesota was one of four recipients in the Super Connector category which recognizes “current efforts to successfully attract and/or support networks of underrepresented communitie...

DEED Awards Over $20.6 Million in Broadband Grants

Tuesday, March 30, 2021

ST. PAUL – While the critical importance of reliable, high-speed broadband access has become even more obvious during the pandemic, there are still unserved and underserved areas of the state. To help close that gap, on Jan. 28, the state announced broadband grant awards for 39 projects designed to bring service to more than 6,900 businesses, homes, and community anchor institutions in Minnesota. This marked the sixth year of grants through the Border-to-Border Broadband Grant Program overseen by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). DEED Commissioner Steve Grove and Broadband Director Angie Dickison joined three grantees at a recent virtual press conference to talk about the progra...

Launch Minnesota Awards $450K in Grants to Continue Building State’s Startup Network

Monday, March 29, 2021

St. Paul – Launch Minnesota – an initiative of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) designed to elevate Minnesota as a national leader in innovation – has awarded $450,000 from its Education Grants program to six organizations to continue development of our statewide innovation ecosystem. The Launch Minnesota Network is designed to help startups from across Minnesota get the resources and support they need to build the next big companies that will grow our state’s economy and create jobs. A collaboration that spans the whole state, it is connected by eight hubs for startup support that include 85 program partners. The Launch Minnesot...

Remote Workers are Choosing to Relocate to Swift County

Monday, March 29, 2021

COVID-19 led to a surge in remote work, and remote workers are choosing Swift County! After working at home for several months, many people have decided it is in their best interest to pursue remote work permanently. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 24 percent of all working Americans worked remotely at least part of the time in 2019. In 2020, 42 percent of the U.S. labor force now works from home full-time due to the pandemic, as reported by the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research. This monumental shift to remote work comes with benefits for employers an...

DEED Announces Nearly $2 Million in Awards for Job Creation

Friday, March 26, 2021

St. Paul – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has announced that since July, there has been $1.89 million in awards from the Job Creation Fund (JCF). Seven businesses are expanding in the state using awards from the JCF, six of which are in Greater Minnesota and one is in the metro. These projects are expected to create at least 226 new jobs. “This past year has brought some incredible challenges to business leaders in the state, but these expansions show that Minnesota still offers so many opportunities for growth,” said DEED Commissioner Steve Grove. “These awards are proof tha...

Top 30 Jobs in Demand Now in Minnesota

Thursday, March 25, 2021

St. Paul – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has updated its list of the top 30 jobs in demand now in Minnesota. You can see the list at CareerForceMN.com/JobsinDemand. “Many of the jobs most in demand now are in fields with a significant potential for career growth,” said DEED Commissioner Steve Grove. “For example, entry level positions in health care and manufacturing offer a path up to well-paying, family sustaining careers as a person gains experience and training. And in many cases, employers provide on-the-job training to help dedicated employees grow in their careers.” In the listing of the top 30 job...

DEED Headquarters Set to Move to Downtown St. Paul’s Great Northern Building in 2021

Wednesday, March 24, 2021

St. Paul – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) today announced that its headquarters will move to the Great Northern Building at 180 East Fifth Street in Saint Paul, Minnesota. This two block move in downtown St. Paul, which will occur by August 1, 2021, will be DEED’s first relocation in nearly two decades. As DEED evaluated the possibility of moving, it executed a thorough three-year planning and evaluation process, and was focused on best serving Minnesotans and businesses across the state. This included an analysis to re-examine space needs, and take account of future teleworking trends, to bot...

DEED Announces Over $13 Million in Relief Grants to Convention Centers and Movie Theaters Statewide

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

St. Paul – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has announced awards of $4.6 million in Convention Center Relief Grants and $8.54 million in Movie Theater Relief Grants to facilities across the state. These grants were part of a $216 million economic relief package signed into law by Governor Tim Walz on Dec. 16, 2020. This package included a $14 million appropriation for grants to movie theaters and convention centers in Minnesota impacted by COVID-19. “Convention centers and movie theatres are an important part of our economy that has been severely impacted by COVID-19,” said DEED Commissioner Steve Grove. “The stat...

Why Would My Community Want To Attract A Remote Workforce

Monday, March 22, 2021

Why would my community want to attract a REMOTE WORKFORCE? -- To grow your economy, of course! The coronavirus pandemic has affected U.S. workplaces in many ways, including transitioning many employees to remote work. As some businesses begin to welcome employees back to the office, many remote workers, about two-thirds to be exact, are opting to continue working remotely, according to a GALLUP POLL. Attracting remote workers should now be a priority for all economic developers. WHY WOULD MY COMMUNITY WANT TO ATTRACT A REMOTE WORKFORCE? Remote workers can bring many benefits to the communities they choose to live in. Just like any othe...

Swift County may soon have another tool to encourage the expansion of affordable workforce housing options in Swift County.

Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Swift County may soon have another tool to encourage the expansion of affordable workforce housing options in Swift County. HRA and RDA Executive Directors are proposing an ordinance to the Swift County Board that will establish a county-wide housing trust fund; a permanent and continuously renewable source of funding to help meet the housing needs of moderate, low income and very low income households. The trust fund is expected to provide loans and grants to individual property owners, homeowners, for-profit and nonprofit housing developers and governmental units. “It’s something we hear all the time – when people are considering a jo...

WHY ECONOMIC DEVELOPERS NEED TO MARKET THEIR OPPORTUNITY ZONES NOW

Tuesday, June 01, 2021

One Year After The First Wave Of Pandemic Jobs Losses, U.S. Adds Nearly A Million Jobs In March

Monday, May 17, 2021