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

Friday, March 27, 2020

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

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

Friday, March 27, 2020

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

States, Governors Focus on Broadband Expansion

Friday, March 27, 2020

GOVERNORS ACROSS THE country are increasingly prioritizing broadband deployment and high-speed internet access in a bid to resolve connectivity concerns that disproportionately hang over America's most rural communities. Of the 40 State of the State speeches delivered so far this year, 20 included references to high-speed internet access or state broadband installation projects, according to a U.S. News analysis of governors' prepared remarks. That governors from such divergent states as Alabama, Vermont, Arizona and others are so unified in their focus on broadband speaks to how important internet access has become as a driver of economic, health care and general welfare returns. Read ful...

Here's how area colleges and universities are handling the coronavirus outbreak

Friday, March 13, 2020

As universities and colleges across the country make decisions about how they will continue classes amid coronavirus concerns, universities in North Dakota are making their own choices. North Dakota has one confirmed case of COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. The case is in Ward County, which is in north-central North Dakota. In total, 41 people have been tested in the state with 12 tests turning out negative and 28 with results still pending. In Minnesota, there are nine confirmed cases with more than 300 tested. Read full article.

Royalton seeking grants to help with construction costs

Friday, March 13, 2020

Tyson Hajacek, Moore Engineering, attended Tuesday’s Royalton City Council’s public hearing. He outlined the city’s proposed 16 block infrastructure project covering Cedar Street and south Driftwood. The project includes replacing the old cast iron water main with soft lead components, storm water, street construction, curb/gutter and sidewalk replacement. The cost of the complete project is estimated at $3.352 million. Mayor Andrea Lauer told the residents attending the meeting that Rep. Ron Kresha has authored a bill to cover the water and sewer portion of the project. Read full article.

'American Pickers' show featuring Wadena residents airs Monday

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

The late Ed Blazek surrounded himself in unusual antiques, big and small, in his otherwise unassuming Wadena home. Few people have seen all that he's collected there, but the world will catch a glimpse of his treasures Monday, March 16, during the airing of an "American Pickers" episode, which features Blazek's home. Read full article.

Dying To Film Finds the Perfect Location

Friday, March 06, 2020

Brainerd area ideal location Location is everything for a business, and even more important for a film production company. Riley Nelsen, owner of Dying to Film, believes Brainerd is the ideal location for his production business. “I've grown up here, and I like the community,” says videographer Nelsen. Centrally located in the state, Dying to Film is within easy travel distance from the major urban centers, the Twin Cities to the southeast, Duluth to the north, and the greater Fargo area to the west. “It just seemed like a good central place in the state to be based out of. I d...

Baby's On Broadway

Monday, March 02, 2020

The name came even before the first business plan was developed; an idea tucked away in her conscience before she began looking for a location. It was going to be Baby’s On Broadway. “I had a logo, I had everything and all of a sudden this building in downtown Little Falls, on Broadway, came up for sale,” recalled Adelle Starin. “It just kind of felt like it was meant to be.” Every year afterward, Baby’s On Broadway, or “BOB” as everyone now calls it, has added something new to the store. This year they’re providing breast pumps, through insurance, fo...

High School, High Wages

Friday, February 28, 2020

You don’t need to go to college to earn a good living, and that’s good news for those who aren’t interested in college or are concerned about the cost. The cost of post-secondary education in the U.S. is rising across the board according to data from the National Center for Education Statistics, although the amount of cost increase varies depending on the type of post-secondary institution. The price tag for tuition climbed by 67% for private 2-year colleges and 125 % for public 4-year universities between the 2000-01 and 2016-2017 school years. Public 2-year college remains the lowest cost option, although i...

New state job created to help immigrants and refugees in Minnesota

Thursday, February 27, 2020

The State of Minnesota is creating a new senior leadership position specifically designed to help immigrants and refugees. This is the first time the Governor's Office will have a primary specialist working with and for these communities. "This is a critical success factor for our economy," said Deputy Commissioner of Workforce Development Hamse Warfa, with the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Read full article.

Collective strength at foundation of Minnesota’s economy

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

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

Launch Minnesota Awards $450K to Grow Startups

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

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

Minnesota manufacturers expect stability in 2020

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

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

Minnesota politicians, businesses hopeful for new firework bill

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Gov. Tim Walz recently voiced support for the bill, which would expand the types of fireworks people over 18 years old can buy in the state, including bottle rockets and Roman candles. Some people say legalizing this type of pyrotechnics will bring revenue back to the state, while others are concerned about increases in injuries and fire hazards. Steve Haines is a partner and co-founder of Bear Creek Pyrotechnics in Hinckley. He estimates that expanding legalized fireworks would increase his revenue tenfold or twentyfold. Read full article.

New from Minnesota Job Skills Partnership: Automation Training Incentive Pilot Program

Tuesday, February 25, 2020

We are excited to introduce a new pilot program from the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership (MJSP) for small businesses in Minnesota that are ramping up new automation equipment and technology. The Automation Training Incentive Pilot Program offers grants up to $25,000 to Minnesota businesses that have 100 or fewer full-time employees, are in the manufacturing or skilled assembly production industry, and have recently invested in new automation technology or plans to invest in new automation technology. Read full article.

Growing an inclusive economy is everyone’s job at DEED

Monday, February 24, 2020

When we reimagined the mission statement of our agency early last year, we were very careful in choosing every word: DEED’s mission is to empower the growth of the Minnesota economy, for everyone. Each word is designed to convey the spirit of our work at DEED, but it’s those last two words in particular – for everyone – that are the most important. Minnesota faces some of the worst economic disparities in the country between whites and people of color and Indigenous people. We need to significantly increase our focus on eliminating the structural barriers that prevent people from full employment and wealth-building. And if we’r...

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

Monday, February 24, 2020

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

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

Friday, February 21, 2020

ST. PAUL — The state is hiring its first-ever assistant commissioner for immigrant and refugee affairs, a position that will focus on economic development for Minnesota’s newest Americans. The position, which will be housed in the state Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), will work to identify and eliminate structural barriers keeping immigrants and refugees from joining the workforce and starting businesses, officials said as they announced the new assistant commissioner post. This position is especially important considering Minnesota’s workforce shortage of 145,000 vacant positions across all industries, said DEED Deputy Commissioner Hamse Warfa. Read full article.

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

Thursday, February 20, 2020

The presidents of the U.S and Turkey have agreed to keep the bilateral trade volume target separate from other problems ,and the U.S. business world has expressed optimism about economic relations with Turkey. President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an said he and U.S. President Donald Trump have decided to keep their target of reaching $100 billion in trade volume separate from other disputes between the two countries. The decision was agreed upon in a recent call with Trump, Erdo?an said. The two presidents agreed to raise the mutual trade volume to $100 billion during a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit held i...

Announcing a New Approach to Working with Minnesota’s Refugee & Immigrant Communities

Thursday, February 20, 2020

The state of Minnesota has a strong commitment to welcoming new immigrants and refugees. In December, Governor Walz sent a letter to the Trump Administration reinforcing that Minnesota will continue to welcome refugees, saying: “Refugees strengthen our communities. Bringing new cultures and fresh perspectives, they contribute to the social fabric of our state. Opening businesses and supporting existing ones, they are critical to the success of our economy. Refugees are doctors and bus drivers. They are entrepreneurs and police officers. They are students and teachers. They are our neighbors.” Here at DEED, we know that immigrants and refugees strengthen Minnesota’s workforc...

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

Thursday, February 20, 2020

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

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

Thursday, February 20, 2020

Small business sentiment is on the rise to kick off 2020, with confidence nearing all-time highs, according to data from CNBC and SurveyMonkey. The CNBC/SurveyMonkey Small Business Confidence Index climbed two points in the first quarter, from 59 to 61, as concerns over trade policy impacts lessened, thanks to a trade deal with China and the signing of the USMCA. This is a sharp turnaround from the lows seen last summer as trade turmoil weighed on Main Street’s outlook. The Small Business Confidence Index is calculated based on entrepreneurs’ responses to a set of eight questions about their businesses as part o...

The Hidden Power of Guarantees in Community Development Finance

Thursday, February 20, 2020

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

Our new approach to grant monitoring support services for workforce development

Tuesday, February 18, 2020

One of the most important things we do in workforce development at the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is develop partnerships. Millions of dollars of taxpayer dollars flow from DEED to nonprofit partners in workforce development across Minnesota every year. These organizations work hard to help get Minnesotans into our workforce. Making sure we’re great partners to these nonprofits is an important priority of ours at DEED, which is why we’re revamping our process for grants administration under the Walz/Flanagan Administration. We’ve heard from many partners that DEED has been too onerous in our grants management, and that th...

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

Friday, February 14, 2020

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