Swift County RDA News

Minnesota Hops Take a Giant Leap Forward

Thursday, July 11, 2019

What exactly do Minnesota-grown hops taste like? Beer lovers, gather round, we are in receipt of some of the biggest Minnesota-beer news of all time. First off, Minnesota's poised to break our all-time hops harvest this year, with 100,000 pounds coming out of Mighty Axe hops in Foley, just north of St. Cloud. That's more than before Prohibition, it's more than ever. But that's only the start of this story, because Mighty Axe founder, hops-champion, and CEO Eric Sannerud feels so strongly that the hops he's growing are unique in the world, in terms of their flavor and aromas, that he's rebranded...

Swift County Businesses Are Leveraging Border to Border Broadband to Grow

Monday, June 24, 2019

Swift County, known for its enterprising nature, has something incredibly rare in rural communities – border to border broadband. Historically, companies, entrepreneurs and those working from home, have had to choose between expensive cities with broadband access and rural communities with slow internet connections. This is not the case in Swift County. Here, businesses and residents have the advantage of living somewhere affordable and beautiful, while still being able to work remotely, connect with customers across the country, stream and upload content, etc. In Swift County, you can have it all and sacrifice nothing. Local Businesses Are Leveraging Broadband to Grow Fast internet...

Swift County ranked 3rd in Minnesota for broadband speeds at 100 Mbps down and 20 Mbps up

Sunday, June 23, 2019

They don't call us Swift for nothing. Who is Super Fast? Swift County is Super Fast!! Swift County moves to 3rd place in Minnesota state rankings of broadband availability of speeds at 100 Mbps down & 20 Mbps up. This is 38 county improvement over 2018 when Swift County ranked 41st in the state. Read more at the Blandin on Broadband blog, by Ann Treacy at this link: http://j.mp/2X3nSJE #SwiftConnections

Swift County Is Enterprising by Nature

Tuesday, May 28, 2019

Enterprising by nature is more than a tagline. It describes the essence of Swift County, the attitude of the people who call it home, and the drive behind the county’s innovative business climate. Here, young professionals, families, community leaders, business owners and cooperatives are working side by side to leverage Swift County’s assets and make the most out of life. This is an active community – the type of place where seizing the day means both creating and enjoy opportunities. And opportunities are everywhere. Swift County has a history of being enterprising A spirit of entrepreneurism that has been a cornerstone of Swift...

Letter: Quality child care is vital to growing our workforce

Friday, May 24, 2019

My wife Mary and I are the proud parents of two-year old twins. Raising them is the most amazing thing we’ve ever had the opportunity to do - so every morning when I leave for work, it’s hard to say goodbye. But you know what makes it a lot easier? Knowing they’re going to grow and learn all day long, thanks to the excellent child care we have available. Unfortunately, for many Minnesota families, excellent childcare (or any child care at all, for that matter) is simply not available. Read full article.

Enticing Businesses to Stay

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Trying to attract businesses from outside the community or launching startup businesses are key economic development activities. However, economic developers generally agree that the most practical strategy for growth is Business Retention and Expansion, or keeping established businesses in the community. Enticing Businesses to Stay, co-authored by Michael Darger, University of Minnesota Extension, and Cameron Macht, DEED, looks at results from DEED’s Business Employment Dynamics dataset and provides insights and examples from ongoing business retention and expansion projects in Barnesville, near Fargo-Moorhead, and Cottage Grove, metro area. Read full blog post.

Improving Our Competitive Grantmaking at DEED

Monday, May 20, 2019

The mission of DEED is to grow the economy of Minnesota for everyone. One of the most important ways we pursue that mission is through partnerships. Minnesota is home to many nonprofit and civic organizations who are building innovative solutions to help Minnesotans from all backgrounds find meaningful employment across the state. By working with excellent partners, we can do so much more for Minnesota’s job-seekers and businesses. One of the ways we work with partners is through competitive grants, which create competition between organizations for state dollars to meet DEED’s mission. Over time, some of our community partners have told...

DEED Names Deputy Commissioner for Workforce Development

Friday, May 17, 2019

Recently appointed Assistant Commissioner of Economic Opportunity Hamse Warfa has been promoted to Deputy Commissioner for Workforce Development here at DEED. In this role, Warfa will continue to lead the Office of Economic Opportunity, and will also take on leadership of Employment and Training Programs, CareerForce, and the Governor’s Workforce Development Board. Warfa’s experience in the philanthropic/nonprofit and private sectors has helped him bring great thinking to DEED’s workforce efforts. After interviewing dozens of candidates for our commissioner-level roles in workforce development, I’m confident that Hamse is the right leader for these efforts. Read full blog post.

Northrop Grumman Expands Plymouth Operations

Wednesday, May 15, 2019

The company is expected to create more than 60 high quality jobs within the next three years ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced that Northrop Grumman plans to improve their existing 191,000 square foot facility in Plymouth, Minnesota, and is expected to create more than 60 new high quality jobs during the next three years. DEED is supporting the project with a $600,000 loan from the Minnesota Investment Fund, and $700,000 from the Job Creation Fund. Read full press release.

Kerkhoven EDA Launches $12,500 "Jump-Start Kerkhoven" Business Plan Contest

Monday, May 13, 2019

Kerkhoven EDA Launches $12,500 “Jump-Start Kerkhoven” Business Plan Contest The Kerkhoven Economic Development Authority has officially launched its “Jump-Start Downtown” business plan competition – which is designed to identify and assist with the start-up of a new business on Kerkhoven’s Main Street. With over $12,500 in prizes, potential to take ownership of a downtown building, the contest is one of the largest of its kind. Prizes include $10,000 in start-up capital, $2,500 in marketing consultation and services, free Small Business Management classes, on-going business coaching & mentoring, free business checking, and more! Any type of business is eligible, so long as it meets...

Minnesota adds 1,300 Jobs in March

Monday, May 13, 2019

Unemployment rate at 3.2 percent ST. PAUL – Minnesota gained 1,300 seasonally adjusted jobs in March while the state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 3.2 percent according to figures released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The U.S. unemployment rate was 3.8 percent. Minnesota total over-the-year growth rebounded back into positive territory in March as employment was up 7,605 or 0.3 percent over last March. February’s seasonally adjusted job loss was reduced through revisions by 1,000 jobs to 7,800 jobs lost. Read full press release.

PFA Awards Over $28 million in Water Infrastructure projects

Friday, May 10, 2019

Funding will support five projects in Greater Minnesota ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (PFA) approved $28.35 million in loan and grant funding for water infrastructure projects in Minnesota. Funding was approved for Crystal Bay Township, Fertile, Glencoe, Glenwood and Rice County. “I’m working hard to rebuild infrastructure in every corner of our state,” said Governor Walz. “I’m excited that $28 million dollars will be going directly to these greater Minnesota communities to help improve their water quality. Everyone in Minnesota deserves clean drinking water–regardless of their zip code.” “These PFA dollars are a valuable resource to communities all across Minnesota,” said...

Reps. Miller and Baker and Sen. Lang part of Trump roundtable Monday

Wednesday, May 08, 2019

(Burnsville MN-) Representatives Dave Baker and Tim Miller and Senator Andrew Lang were among about 200 people who attended the business round table discussion with President Trump in Burnsville. Baker, Miller and Lang said while they didn't have a chance to speak with Trump one-on-one, it was a great experience and they appreciated the tax cuts Trump was Trumpetting... Read full article.

Q&A: Workforce director, council positioning workers for jobs

Tuesday, May 07, 2019

When she was growing up in the Twin Cities Jewish Community in St. Louis Park, Andrea Ferstan learned two Hebrew words that would inspire her to fix the things around her that she could. “Tikkun olan” translates to “repair the world.” Ferstan, who was recently named as the first executive director of the Greater Metropolitan Workforce Council, has long been working toward that goal in her professional life, which has centered on linking people with jobs. Her career path is rooted in social justice, something she a learned from watching her mother work in the Minnesota Department of Health. She was also inspired...

Budget for One Minnesota: Broadband

Monday, May 06, 2019

Access to robust broadband is a critical factor in the economic and social sustainability of all Minnesota communities. In 2014, the state of Minnesota set a goal of border-to-border broadband access by 2022, signaling that access to quality broadband service should be a right for all Minnesotans. Read full blog post.

Budget for One Minnesota: Closing the Opportunity Gap

Friday, May 03, 2019

A report by 24/7 Wall Street ranked Minnesota as the second-worst state in the country for racial equality. Although U.S. Census figures show income gains and lower unemployment rates for Minnesotans of color, we’re still experiencing drastic inequality in these areas across the state. Governor Walz’s Closing the Opportunity Gap investment continues direct appropriations made in the 2018-2019 biennial budget and funds competitive youth employment programs that target at-risk youth. Read full blog post.

Growing Our Leadership for Minnesota's Workforce

Thursday, May 02, 2019

One of the most important areas of focus for our work at DEED is to help Minnesota workers from all professional backgrounds find great jobs, and to help companies large and small meet their hiring needs – enabling our economy to grow and thrive. That’s why we’ve decided to expand the leadership team within the DEED commissioner’s office by creating two Assistant Commissioner positions to lead our workforce efforts. We’ve just posted these two unclassified jobs – one is as an Assistant Commissioner for Workforce Services (Keyword 31802) and one is as an Assistant Commissioner of Workforce Development (Keyword 31799). You can find out more...

Minnesota Exports Jump to Record $23 Billion in 2018

Wednesday, May 01, 2019

Canada and China lead in export gains ST. PAUL – Minnesota exports of goods grew 10 percent between 2017 and 2018, reaching a record high of $23 billion, according to a report released by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). U.S. exports grew 8 percent during the same period. Minnesota’s solid export performance led to the state’s ranking rising to 20th highest in exports among all states in 2018, up from 23rd last year. Export growth was strong, even within an environment of continued uncertainty created by changing trade policies in the U.S. and trading partners. Read full press release.

DEED Awards $2 Million in Redevelopment Grants and Loans

Monday, April 29, 2019

Five sites Awarded Funding for Demolition and Redevelopment DEED awarded four redevelopment grants for the cities of Mankato, Minneapolis, Woodbury and Edina. Fergus Falls Port Authority was also awarded a Demolition Loan from the agency. “Redevelopment can be a costly and time-consuming process for local municipalities,” said Governor Tim Walz. “With DEED’s assistance, these projects will attract or retain 455 jobs and increase the local tax base by as much as $1.76 million.” “Turning blighted and underutilized sites into productive uses is a good investment,” said DEED Commissioner Steve Grove. “The criteria for DEED’s Redevelopment Grant Program and Demolition Loan programs ensure that...

Baker says bill to help businesses hurt by Benson Power Plant closure advances

Friday, April 26, 2019

(Benson MN-) Representative Dave Baker says The House Energy and Climate Finance Policy Division passed his bill seeking compensation for businesses affected by the closure last year of the Benson Power Plant. Baker says two years ago the legislature passed a bill allowing Xcel Energy to get out of a 20-year agreement to buy power from the plant. Xcel said the power, created by burning turkey litter and wood chips, was too expensive. Xcel bought the plant and shut it down, and is now entertaining offers from businesses interested in creating a new biomass plant there. Baker says closing the plant...

Why Minnesota's Broadband Push is Crucial to Rural Residents

Wednesday, April 24, 2019

Rural communities in Minnesota fail to conduct timely business because they lack fast Internet. In one town, it's the difference between employment and mass layoffs. A new state bill would fund broadband for two years. (TNS) — International Falls, Minn. – After more than 30 years of doing business in this longtime mill town, Optum Health plans to close its health care claims office this summer. The good news is the company's 90 workers can keep their jobs. The bad news is that offer is good only if they're able to work remotely. And those who live outside the city limits may...

DEED seeks $70 million for rural broadband

Monday, April 22, 2019

After a five-year effort to bring broadband internet to rural Minnesota, state leaders believe the finish line is in sight. Under Gov. Tim Walz’s proposed budget, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development would spend $35 million in both 2020 and 2021 to support the Border-to-Border Broadband Development Grant Program. That $70 million will put the state on track to hit a statutory goal of extending broadband to all Minnesotans by 2022, DEED Commissioner Steve Grove said. Read full article.

Meet Claire Goff – a Marketing & Communications Coordinator Growing her Career in Swift County

Monday, April 22, 2019

Claire Goff is a millennial and the Marketing & Communications Coordinator for Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company, a farmer-owned business in Swift County. She is responsible for the branding and identity of the CVEC and CVEC owned, Glacial Grain Spirits, handling the appearance and tone of information and the traditional and digital marketing strategies for both entities. We wanted to learn about her experience as a marketing manager and what she loves about working and living in Swift County. Here is what Claire had to say – Q: What inspired you to go into your career? A: My education and background...

Best & Worst States for Women

Friday, April 19, 2019

In 2019, women in some parts of America still get the short end of the stick — even as they outnumber men in most states. For instance, women representnearly two-thirds of all minimum-wage workers in the U.S. Their political representation also suffers, as women make up 51% of the U.S. population but only 25% of the Senate and 23.4% of the House of Representatives. And the prevalence of sexual harassment remains a prominent issue in 2019’s political landscape. In order to determine how women are faring and where they can find the best opportunities relative to where they live, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District...

RDA Participates in Great Plains Institute’s The Future of Anaerobic Digestion in Minnesota

Thursday, April 18, 2019

RDA Participates in Great Plains Institute’s 'The Future of Anaerobic Digestion in Minnesota'. Providing opportunities for community and economic development in Swift County Benson, April 18, 2019 — Swift County RDA staff participated in a facilitated discussion regarding the Future of Anaerobic Digestion in Minnesota. The one-day event was held April 17th in St. Paul and facilitated by Great Plains Institute, a nonpartisan, national, nonprofit organization transforming the energy system to benefit the economic and the environment. RDA’s Executive Director, Jennifer Frost participated, along of over twenty-five energy, environment, and development professionals, including those integral to advancing anaerobic digestion in Swift County: Rob Wolfington, City...

MSP named best airport in North America for 3rd year in a row

Wednesday, April 17, 2019

It shared the honor this year with Detroit. Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport continues to fly high atop the rankings for the best airports in the world. The Twin Cities travel hub was named the best airport in North America for its size for the third year in a row by Airports Council International (ACI). It shared top billing in North America for airports that handle 25-40 million passengers with Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. Read full article.

Swift County Can Be Proud of Farmer-Owned Glacial Grain Spirits

Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Glacial Grain Spirits (GGS) is a value-added agriculture company located in Swift County. They produce high-quality alcohol that is being used by manufacturers throughout the United States. If you have sipped American vodka or used hand sanitizer, there’s a chance you’re using an end product that started as corn grown in the fields in and around Swift County. This is the magic of Glacial Grain Spirits and their parent company Chippewa Valley Ethanol Co. – they have created a way for locally grown crops to be utilized in a number of different ways – strengthening farmers and our economy in...

Building up gender diversity

Monday, April 15, 2019

If enrollment growth at Dunwoody College of Technology is a good tape measure, women are poised to made big strides in Minnesota’s construction industry. Women currently make up about 18 percent of all students in the school’s popular construction management program, up from just 2 percent a decade ago, said Heather Gay, who has taught at Dunwoody since 2008. Those rising numbers are no accident, school officials say, as Dunwoody has been deliberate about bringing more women into the school’s technical programs. Read full article.

Budget for One Minnesota: Child Care Investment and Integrity

Friday, April 12, 2019

For many Minnesota families, child care is a necessity, yet a growing number of Minnesotans can’t access it – it just doesn’t exist. The number of licensed family childcare providers has decreased almost 30 percent in Minnesota since 2005, according to the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Census data from 2014 show that about 310,000 children in Minnesota ages 0-5 have both parents or guardians in the workforce and likely need some form of child care. Lack of affordable, quality child care is a significant barrier to workforce participation that can negatively affect job and wealth creation, business expansion and retention,...

Budget for One Minnesota: Minnesota Innovation Collaborative

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

States and cities that create attractive environments for startups, entrepreneurs, and innovative talent are quickly distancing their economies from those who do not. For every one job created in the innovation sector, five more jobs are created in adjacent sectors – the strongest network effect in job growth today. Minnesota must put our economy on the cutting edge of this ecosystem by making strategic investments in our innovation ecosystem. The proposed Minnesota Innovation Collaborative (MIC) contains a series of initiatives focused on growing Minnesota’s innovation economy by accelerating the growth of our startup ecosystem and attracting top technology talent to the state. Comprised...

Budget for One Minnesota: Community Prosperity

Monday, April 08, 2019

Prosperity and opportunity for all people in all parts of our state stems from the well-being of their community. Governor Tim Walz’s budget ensures that communities are thriving – not just surviving. His budget expands access to affordable childcare and housing, invests in infrastructure and broadband internet, and gives local leaders the tools they need to succeed. In total, the Budget for One Minnesota represents an investment of $432 million in community prosperity investments over the next two years, with an additional $1.9 billion in transportation and infrastructure. Read full article.

Minnesota adds 3,800 Jobs in January

Friday, April 05, 2019

Unemployment rate ticks up to 3 percent ST. PAUL - Minnesota added 3,800 jobs statewide during the first month of 2019, and the state's unemployment rate increased to 3 percent, according to seasonally adjusted figures released by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.0 percent in January. Read full article.

Expo Gets Youth to Think About Careers; Employers, the Next-gen Workforce

Thursday, April 04, 2019

An HR executive, truck loader, court reporter and physical therapist will be among 25 Minnesota professionals who are blind, DeafBlind, or low-vision networking with blind students at the 2019 Career Expo sponsored by State Services for the Blind. The Expo highlights the diversity of career paths for job seekers who are blind. This free event, focused on high school and undergraduate students, will be held Sat., April 27 at Minnesota Department of Education, 1500 Highway 36 West, Roseville, Conference Center B. Directions. Click here for event details.

DEED Names Assistant Commissioner for Economic Opportunity

Wednesday, April 03, 2019

Will lead strategic, department-wide efforts to address economic disparities ST. PAUL - The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced that Hamse Warfa has been named Assistant Commissioner for Economic Opportunity. This external-facing role will work with stakeholder groups, DEED partners, and local officials and boards across the state to advance economic equity in our State and amplify DEED programs that target under-invested and under-capitalized communities of color. Additionally, the position will work internally with DEED's senior leadership team to bring a lens of equity into the agency and champion department-specific objectives against priorities for economic equity. This role will lead DEED's Office...

Funding rural broadband: A no-brainer for this legislative session

Friday, March 22, 2019

Consider this your daily affirmation of Minnesota’s excellence: We have the best funding structure for connecting our rural areas to high quality broadband internet access. You can thank the Minnesota’s Border-to-Border Broadband Development Grant Program housed within the Department of Employment and Economic Development for this. The overarching goal of this program is to extend high quality and affordable internet access to all Minnesotans, especially those in unserved or underserved areas. Despite the myriad partisan battles between 2014 and now, the Minnesota Legislature has allocated $90.5 million to the program, providing a booster shot to the economy of Greater Minnesota. Internet...

Here’s the No. 1 state for jobs in the U.S. — and it’s not California or New York

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

The U.S. economy added 304,000 jobs in January, but not all jobs are created equally The U.S. added 304,000 jobs in January, as the country continued to enjoy the best labor market in decades. But even as the economy gains jobs at a breakneck pace, not all workers will benefit equally from the booming jobs market. That depends where those people choose to live and work — and while populous states like New York and Texas may seem the most attractive for job-seekers, it’s Iowa that may be the best bet for people looking for work. Iowa ranked as the best state for jobs...

March 2019 - Minnesota Economic Trends

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Economic development professionals agree that Business Retention and Expansion – BRE – is the most practical strategy for growth. Co-authors Cameron Macht and Michael Darger pair the Business Employment Dynamics dataset with ongoing projects that aim to keep businesses in Barnesville and Cottage Grove. Using transfer payment data, Dave Senf tracks Minnesota’s per capita personal income ranking over the last 20 years. Elsewhere, Sanjukta Chaudhuri and Carrie Marsh walk us through the Bachelor’s Degree and Career Destination tool – BDCD – funded through a 2015 State Longitudinal Data Systems grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Lastly, David Stokman, former intern with DEED...

In new report on automation, some good news for Minnesota’s workers

Monday, March 18, 2019

As technology continues to change the American workplace and the U.S. economy, roughly one quarter of jobs in the country are at high risk of becoming largely automated in the next decade and beyond, according to a new report from The Brookings Institution, a Washington, D.C., think tank. But the effects of automation will vary wildly based on location and industry, the report says. And while automation and technology have their supporters and detractors, Brookings says the future likely holds complex changes for the country, but neither “apocalypse or utopia.” Here’s what the report says about Minnesota. Read full article.

Tax credits proposed to spur business investments in Minnesota

Friday, March 15, 2019

Gov. Tim Walz, legislators want to reinstate the angel tax credit program. State lawmakers and Gov. Tim Walz want to replenish funding for a lapsed program that gave tens of millions in tax breaks to investors who helped start businesses in Minnesota. The state could spend up to $20 million a year on investors who support startups, under a proposal in the Legislature. Walz did not commit to an exact amount but told members of the TwinWest Chamber of Commerce that the tax credits will be part of the budget he unveils. The angel investment program previously operated from 2010 through 2017, and the...

University of Minnesota launches startup incubator to aid new ventures based on university research

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

The University of Minnesota announced the launch of a startup incubator to support companies that are spun out of research undertaken at the university. The "Discovery Launchpad" program was developed by the university's Venture Center to support researchers who want to bring new technology to market. It's currently working with eight startups and plans to graduate eight from the program this fiscal year. Read full article.

American manufacturing companies have a spring in their step

Monday, March 11, 2019

Foxconn's latest reversal suggests manufacturing is undergoing a revival, especially among agile smaller firms and those using advanced techniques. When Taiwanese giant Foxconn announced plans to build a massive factory for high-end televisions in 2017, many cheered, including President Donald Trump. Electronics manufacturers had long ago abandoned America for cheaper countries, especially China, so the investment seemed to mark a reversal, albeit one that came with a significant amount of subsidies. But what Foxconn will do in southeastern Wisconsin is now in question. The company has discovered that it is hard to get thousands of Midwesterners to work long hours at stressful...

High Wages, High Demand

Friday, March 08, 2019

In the Metro, These Jobs are High Paying – and Growing Professional, scientific and technical services is one of the largest industries in the Twin Cities, accounting for nearly 125,000 jobs and 10,472 businesses. The high-paying field includes businesses that specialize in legal advice and representation; accounting, bookkeeping and payroll; architectural, engineering and specialized design; computers; consulting; research; advertising; photography; translation and interpretation; and veterinary services. A story by DEED analyst Tim O’Neill in Minnesota Economic Trends magazine says computer systems design and related services has the most jobs in the sector, employing 28,700 people. Close behind is management, scientific and technical consulting...

Automation on the Job

Wednesday, March 06, 2019

Leaves Time for Higher-Thinking Tasks Technologies that eliminate jobs or drastically change the way work is performed is a thread that runs through history and popular culture. Even now, print and digital book sales in the sci-fi/fantasy genre have doubled since 2010, according to publishing industry data. With Minnesota’s low unemployment rates and a labor force that’s inching along, Luke Greiner, regional analyst, looks at automation’s role in maintaining Minnesota’s global position using the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation’s ‘at risk’ index of occupations. The index covers nearly every occupation recognized by official employment data. Using this index, Minnesota has a smaller...

Minnesota STEP Grant Program helps businesses with export related activities

Monday, March 04, 2019

The STEP program helps Minnesota businesses that are looking to sell their wares outside of the country. The Minnesota State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) grant program is looking to award funds to Minnesota businesses planning to grow their exports. The STEP program provides financial and technical assistance to qualifying Minnesota small businesses with an active interest in exporting products or services to foreign markets. Participants may be first-time exporters or companies that are currently exporting but are interested in expanding into new international markets. The grant is operated by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Read full article.

The 5 biggest economic stories in Minnesota from 2018

Friday, February 08, 2019

It was a year with highs and lows for Minnesota’s economy, marked by turnover in the state’s technical college system, trade war uncertainty, rosy economic numbers and an escalating shortage of workers. Here, a look at the year in Minnesota’s economic development: 1. A new leader for Minnesota State After two failed nationwide searches for a new chancellor, the board of trustees at the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities tapped someone close to home: interim Chancellor Devinder Malhotra. Over its nearly two-year long search process, the board rejected six finalists to replace the outgoing Steven Rosenstone. Malhotra, who was not formally part of...

‘If we are not making investments in our future, we will be in trouble’: a Q&A with outgoing DEED Commissioner Shawntera Hardy

Monday, February 04, 2019

Shawntera Hardy, the commissioner of the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), is one of the many Cabinet members from Gov. Mark Dayton’s administration who have not applied to stay on the job once DFLer Tim Walz takes over the governor’s mansion in January. Hardy has been the head of DEED for a relatively short two-year stint, but she will soon be moving on. She has a Bush Foundation fellowship lined up and plans to rejoin Civic Eagle, the technology company she co-founded that helps users track bills and other action at state legislatures. Continue to full article

CareerOneStop Team wins multiple awards in Innovation for its CareerBot

Friday, February 01, 2019

The CareerBot chatbot debuted in late April to help users find what they’re looking for on CareerOneStop.org. The CareerOneStop.org team at the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development won three awards from different organizations recognizing their work on CareerBot, the artificial intelligence chatbot designed to help users of the CareerOneStop website find exactly what they are looking for without needing to learn the site’s web layout. The 8-month-old AI helper won the Granicus Digital Strategy Award in Innovation, a State Government Innovation Award (SGIA) from University of Minnesota, and a Government IT Symposium (GOVIT) Award. Continue to full article

Magazine Highlights Minnesota as a Top Spot for Business

Monday, January 28, 2019

The new edition of Minnesota: Thriving in the North spells out the benefits of doing business here. It highlights the state’s inviting business climate, innovative atmosphere and world-class workforce. The publication, available in both print and digital versions, is part of DEED’s ongoing work to promote the state’s advantages for business investment and expansion, as well as its culture of innovation and quality of life. Continue to full article

Meet Two Young Professionals Who Moved to Swift County from Alaska

Friday, January 25, 2019

Brinna and Jeremy Langford are building their careers and growing their family in Swift County after having recently moved from Alaska. Brinna is a 6th grade Special Education Teacher at Lac qui Parle Valley High School and Jeremy is a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) for Appleton Area Health Services. Photos courtesy of www.allysonwasmund.com As a teacher, Brinna enjoys working with and advocating for students with disabilities. She has her Masters Degree in Special Education and completed her thesis on Childhood Trauma, during which she discovered that she has a passion for working with students who have hard-to-handle behaviors and are often...

New Privacy and Data Security Guide Published for 2019

Friday, January 25, 2019

Annual guide developed in cooperation with Gray Plant Mooty ST. PAUL - The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has partnered with Minneapolis law firm Gray Plant Mooty to publish “A Legal Guide to Privacy and Data Security 2019.” This privacy guide is intended to inform businesses of legal issues related to privacy and data security. Written for non-lawyers, this is the fourth time Gray Plant Mooty and DEED have collaborated to publish and distribute the privacy guide. Continue to full article

Daycare could be key to Benson area’s growth

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

School-industry collaboration and city beautification also important Through his two days of meetings with students, senior citizens, business people, young adults, and local government leaders Doug Griffiths was always seeking an answer to a two-part question: What is the most important thing to the future of your community and what assets do you have that will help you ensure your future is bright? Young families moving to Benson was the first answer and excellent, affordable and readily available daycare the second. Certainly, there were a lot of discussions about the challenges businesses face in filling job vacancies, about the lack of available and...

March 2018 Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

A Public Meeting was held at 5:00p.m. on Wednesday March 14, 2018 to discuss the TDS Franchise for the City of Murdock.. All Council members were present as well as Adam Simmonds and Trista Kavanagh. Mike Wentzel from TDS was at the meeting to present information regarding TDS providing Cable Service as a choice for residents of Murdock. Discussion was held and questions answered. The Public meeting was adjourned at 5:30p.m. The Murdock City Council met in regular session on Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at 5:30p.m. with all members present. Adam Simmonds was also present. February meeting minutes were read and approved...