News & Events

Monday, January 11, 2021

As someone who lives in a city (albeit not a large one), I am perhaps not the most qualified to discuss the topic of rural economies. On the other hand, both my parents were raised on wheat farms in eastern Washington. Consequently, one of the most pressing issues in rural America is currently impacting my family directly: family farm succession planning. Additionally, each year the labor market analytics firm I work for produces a Talent Attraction Scorecard to rank how large, small, and micro counties are faring in building their talent pools. As a result, I’ve spent many hours combin...

Developing and Executing a Site Selection Game Plan

Monday, January 11, 2021

Before setting sail on your site selection voyage across the country or the globe in search of your project’s perfect location, it is imperative to first take an internal assessment of the current operations, needs, and industry trends influencing the project. Taking the time to perform a thorough internal assessment of the project and company will lead to new discoveries that will ultimately guide the site selection game plan to success. Challenging and rethinking some of the institutional wisdom will allow new and innovative ideas to surface, enabling the company to consider sites or regions they had initially thought wer...

Paycheck Protection Program

Monday, January 11, 2021

SBA, in consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department, will open the Paycheck Protection Program loan portal on Monday, January 11, 2021 at 9 am ET. When the PPP loan portal system opens, it will initially accept First Draw PPP loan applications from participating CFIs, which include Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs), Certified Development Companies (CDCs), and Microloan Intermediaries. Click here to read full article from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Recruiting and Retaining Today’s Manufacturing Workforce

Monday, January 11, 2021

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, employees have been experiencing a drastically different work environment. Thousands of manufacturers across the U.S. and around the world were deemed essential during the pandemic, and their production lines haven’t stopped. They’ve continued to produce essential goods that the global community relies on — from the food we eat to the clothes we wear and cleaning supplies we use in our homes. As some manufacturers increased output and others reconfigured operations to satisfy urgent demands, employees had to adapt. Their work behind the scenes has helped to ensure that others working on the frontline...

Supply Chain Execs Respond as Pandemic Creates E-Commerce Surge

Monday, January 11, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically changed our lives, and each one of us likely has a personal story to tell that underscores that fact. But there are also stories to be told of sweeping changes that virtually all of us have felt. One of those is the altered state of the global supply chain. The supply chain is, after all, an element of daily life that has an impact, either directly or indirectly, on just about everyone on the planet. The pandemic put a spotlight on the critical nature of this industry. Truck drivers and warehouse employees became everyday heroes o...

The Future of the Workforce Is a “Better Normal”

Monday, January 11, 2021

The world as we all knew it changed earlier this year with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Seemingly overnight, everything that we used to think was normal had changed, and things that once were deemed impossible for the workplace became the “new normal.” Now, seven months later, most of us have gotten used to this “new normal” — embracing the work-from-home lifestyle, using new technology, wearing masks, social distancing, and connecting virtually. But what comes next? Eventually this pandemic will end, a vaccine will be readily available, and we will attempt to return back to our “normal” lives. Bu...

DEED Update on Unemployment Insurance Federal Stimulus Package

Friday, January 08, 2021

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) shared an update on the implementation of the federal stimulus legislation. The federal stimulus package, signed into law December 27, extends a number of unemployment insurance provisions from the 2020 CARES Act, including: 11 more weeks of benefits under the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program 11 more weeks of benefits under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program A $300 per week supplemental payment to anyone receiving unemployment benefits from any program Click here to read full article.

Health Care Month Highlights Employment Opportunities at a Critical Time

Monday, January 04, 2021

Health care employs 478,485 people in Minnesota, the largest workforce by sector in the state, accounting for $25.7 billion in wages in 2019. The key role of the health care industry in Minnesota’s economy has been highlighted in the COVID-19 pandemic, during which dedicated health care workers saved thousands of lives. The importance of the industry in the state is why Governor Walz has proclaimed January as Health Care Month. "Health Care Month is an opportunity to highlight the economic impacts of the health care industry in our state. Health care jobs offer a career path to family-sustaining wages and economic security,"...

Get Creative to Uncover Top Talent When You're Hiring

Saturday, January 02, 2021

“She looked so good on paper.” Sound familiar? In your haste to fill an open position to keep your company running smoothly, you make a hiring decision that turns out to be a big mistake. If this is the case, you are certainly not alone, and the problem isn’t a lack of judgment. A US Chamber of Commerce Foundation study released earlier this year confirms what many of us on the front lines of recruiting candidates already know: There is a skills gap in the current labor market. The study found 48% of respondents lamenting that candidates lack the skills to fill the jobs at hand. Click her...

Always Running Out of Time? Here Are 10 Tools That Can Help Save the Day.

Friday, January 01, 2021

Life is hectic for an entrepreneur. When you're in charge, you have to juggle so many things, it's easy to lose track of time or have to reassess your priorities on a daily basis. Perhaps you just need a little help from technology. We've rounded up some of the top time-saving and productivity tools on the market, all of which are on sale now. Stop running out of time and start becoming master of it. Click here to read full article.

A Small Business Owner's Guide to Funding Options Without a New PPP

Monday, December 28, 2020

Though the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) ended August 8, 2020—with a lack of clarity as to when it might be revived—businesses are still in need of capital. Though more than 5 million PPP loans have been approved, accounting for $525 billion, according to data from the Small Business Administration (SBA), it’s still not enough. Click here to read full article.

Front Line: Vocational Training Alliances in Tough Times

Monday, December 21, 2020

As if manufacturers are not challenged enough by COVID-19, many face shortages of appropriately skilled workers to keep their tech-savvy factories competitive. A 2018 report by Deloitte and the Manufacturing Instituteestimated the manufacturing industry would have as many as 2.4 million jobs to fill by 2028. Last year, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) reported in 3rd Quarter 2019 that the top concern among manufacturers was the inability to attract and retain a quality workforce. Stephen Gold, president/CEO of the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation (MAPI), recently wrote in IndustryWeek that the skills gap today isn’t so much about a lack of STE...

Recruiting and Retaining Today’s Manufacturing Workforce

Friday, December 18, 2020

AD: How has COVID-19 changed the employee experience in manufacturing, and what facets of this should organizations retain going forward? Zenk: Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, employees have been experiencing a drastically different work environment. Thousands of manufacturers across the U.S. and around the world were deemed essential during the pandemic, and their production lines haven’t stopped. They’ve continued to produce essential goods that the global community relies on — from the food we eat to the clothes we wear and cleaning supplies we use in our homes. As some manufacturers increased output and others reconfigured operations to satisfy urgent demands...

Combating Loneliness & Building Resilience For Tomorrow's Workplace

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

In this era of social distancing, safer-at-home orders and telecommuting, the American workforce is more dependent on technology for connection and has less separation between home and work ever. Add to that the emotional turmoil resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, an uncertain economic climate and increased recognition of systemic racial injustice, and the state of mental health in America needs attention. Click here to read full article.

Carris Health-Redwood to open new health campus February 20

Friday, December 04, 2020

Carris Health–Redwood has announced the opening date for the new state-of-the-art medical campus: Feb. 20, 2021. The transition will take place with the turn of the clock with the new emergency department accepting patients at 12:01 a.m. The hospital and clinic have a team of leaders working together to plan the move to the new facility along with the experience of CentraCare, who has built two new hospitals in recent years. Staff will be working with a simulation team from CentraCare to train on new equipment and new processes in the building to be ready for the opening. Read full article.

#GetTakeoutMN: Share Your Support for Minnesota Restaurants

Wednesday, November 25, 2020

St. Paul - As Minnesota takes necessary steps to battle COVID-19, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is encouraging Minnesotans to shop and eat local this holiday season. In particular, helping your favorite local restaurants and eateries by ordering takeout is a simple way to support vital, beloved local businesses while enjoying a delicious meal in your own home. It’s a great way to help these businesses weather the impacts of the pandemic. “The best way to help your local restaurants weather this time is by ordering takeout whenever you can,” said DEED Commissioner Steve Grove. “They need our support no...

4 Things to Understand When Buying a Business

Wednesday, November 25, 2020

Have you been at a job for a few years, but think you want to be your own boss? One way to achieve this is by owning a business. You might not have the stamina to start a company from scratch. However, you can buy a business that already has credibility and make it your own. Before you look for companies to buy, there are some key things to understand. For most, this will be a large investment, so you want to make the best choice. Here's what you need to know when buying a company. Seek out businesses that align with your passion When you decide to own a business, it need...

Veterans Virtual Career Fair Resources Offer Valuable Job Search Information

Wednesday, November 25, 2020

The Minnesota Veterans Virtual Career Fair is over, but the resources offered and connections made through the online event are continuing to benefit current and former military members and their spouses, as well as Minnesota employers. Here's what we've heard from two participating employers, 3M and Andersen Windows and Doors, both gold sponsors of the event. “As a fellow veteran, and 3M hiring manager, it is wonderful to be part of a local event that encourages companies to highlight opportunities for veterans,” said Jennifer Loveland, Enterprise Operations Black Belt and member of 3M’s employee resource group. “At the same time, it creates a central place for veteran...

How To Poise Your Business For Success (And Survival) In The Covid Economy

Monday, November 23, 2020

Business life in the era of Covid has elements of both crisis management and an endurance trial. How can your business join the ranks of those that are succeeding in this environment? LJ Suzuki, founder and fractional CFO at CFOshare and I recently dissected this question together, with an eye toward the actionable steps you should be taking now–and the potholes you need to avoid. Micah Solomon, Senior Contributor, Forbes; Customer Service Turnaround Expert and Consultant: It’s been several quarters since Covid began to make inroads into the economy; how are small businesses faring? LJ Suzuki, Founder and Fractional CFO at CFOshare: The small businesses within my purview have see...

Jobs in Demand: Assemblers and Fabricators

Monday, November 23, 2020

With over 320,000 jobs, Manufacturing is Minnesota’s 2nd largest-employing industry sector. One of the top-employing occupations in this industry happens to be assemblers and fabricators. In fact, according to DEED’s Occupational Employment Statistics data, there are over 31,700 assemblers and fabricators employed in the state. Such workers are employed in a wide variety of areas, including everything from transportation equipment manufacturing to computer and electronic product manufacturing to medical equipment and supplies manufacturing. Simply put, assemblers and fabricators assemble finished products and the parts that go into them. More specific tasks may include reading and interpreting schematics and blueprints, positioning or alignin...

Startups Key to Minnesota Post-Virus Economic Recovery

Monday, November 23, 2020

First, I’d just note that we gathered state leaders, partners and startups from across the state last week for a virtual event to celebrate the one-year anniversary of Launch Minnesota, a program designed to accelerate startups. You can find out more in Launch Minnesota’s First-Year Progress Report. I’d like to share a message I wrote – which appeared in the Star Tribune on Sunday – about the importance of our startup community to Minnesota’s economic recovery. To say that 2020 has been a challenging year for the Minnesota economy would be an understatement. In the first three months of the COVID-19 pandemic, we lost a stunning 385,000 jobs. We'v...

Minnesotans donate in record numbers to Give to the Max

Friday, November 20, 2020

Minnesotans donated a record $30.4 million to nonprofits and schools during the annual Give to the Max campaign, surpassing the previous record of nearly $22 million set in 2019. GiveMN Executive Director Jake Blumberg said donors gave money to more than 6,100 organizations, which is also a record. "What we were hoping donors would do and what we directly asked over and over again for donors to do was to expand their generosity this year," he said. Second Harvest Heartland Food Bank received more than $900,000 in donations. That was the most money given to a single organization this year. Read full article.

6 Ways to Keep Your Employees Learning At Work

Thursday, November 12, 2020

No company can reach its business goals without a qualified and dedicated workforce. As new technologies emerge, on-job training programs have become increasingly useful to enhance both employees’ soft and practical skills. But learning at work can go beyond formal training. Businesses should get creative so that employees are constantly developing their skills. The Benefits of Ongoing Training While most companies invest in costly recruitment processes to attract the right candidates, their efforts on employee engagement and education often fall short. Without any type of incentives or supportive programs, it's easy for employees to feel overlooked and unappreciated after a while — and for companies’ growth to lag in turn. Read full article.

Farmers Union Industries Remains a Pillar of the Manufacturing Industry During the Pandemic

Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Manufacturers are vital to the economic prosperity of Redwood County. Our manufacturing plants provide jobs and income to our population, and they serve as important suppliers to many companies nationwide. As manufacturing month ends, we’d like to send our thanks to Farmers Union Industries, LLC of Redwood Falls: one of the area’s most prominent manufacturers with a long history in Redwood County. “Farmers Union Industries has a rich history that dates all the way back to 1929. That history is deeply rooted in the agricultural industry with its ultimate goal being to improve life for the family farmer,” says Dan Hildebrandt...

How Site Selection Can Help Meet Corporate Social Responsibility Commitments

Monday, November 09, 2020

The increased role of corporate social responsibility in site selection Corporate social responsibility is playing a major factor today in company's decisions on where they're locating their business. That's happening for a few reasons. I think companies are realizing that they need to be more conscious as to what's going on in the environment today, and they need to react to that. But primarily that's being driven by their consumers (for any company that is selling a product to the consumer base). Consumers want to know that the company is delivering on certain sustainability goals. They want to feel like they'r...

4 Ways to Tell If Customers Will Actually Want Your Product

Friday, November 06, 2020

In the early stages of company-building, product-market fit, the most critical question you have to answer is: Are there enough customers who want your product? That's not always an easy question to answer. Because the market for your product is always evolving, product-market fit isn't a box to check off. It's a constant conversation to be had whenever the economy ebbs and flows, or when customers' wants and needs change. Take, for example, restaurants who had to pivot from in-person dining experiences to take-home meal kits during Covid-19. To keep you ahead of the curve, I want to share some of the bes...

4 Key Benefits of Video Content

Saturday, October 31, 2020

In the digital age, getting attention is anything but a given. An abundance of publishers, gadgets and apps are competing for mind share, and data overload causes audiences to block distractions and instead focus on what’s urgent. Five years back, a Microsoft study found that humans now have a shorter attention span than a goldfish, which lasts about eight seconds — only two decades ago, we were at 12 seconds. That's proof positive why content must be compelling, truly entertaining and/or informative; otherwise it’s just mindless noise. When marketing online, it also helps to have the right format. Entrepreneurs, startups and small- to medium-sized businesses can all use videos to hook audience...

5 Tips for Entrepreneurs to Better Serve Their Potential Customers

Saturday, October 31, 2020

If McKinsey & Company insights from July are any indication, consumers have rediscovered their power in the pandemic. Due to a combination of product shortages, economic and job concerns, along with a general willingness to change their purchasing behaviors, 75 percent of shoppers say they’ve behaved differently since coronavirus began spreading. In many cases, their new purchasing habits have led to exposure to unfamiliar brands. This is a huge boon, especially for entrepreneurs trying to disrupt a market or industry. Under ordinary circumstances, getting consumers to move away from their favorite companies’ products and services can be challenging. However, with so much general uncertainty i...

DEED Examines: Where are the Job Seekers?

Friday, October 30, 2020

St. Paul - This week, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) released a new article that examines the question many Minnesota employers are asking right now: Where are the job seekers? Employers in industries such as Health Care, Hospitality, Retail and Food Service are desperate for staff at a time when the statewide unemployment rate is at 7.4%. While the August unemployment rate is lower than it has been the last few months, it is still 4.5 points higher than in March 2020. This 7.4% unemployment rate in Minnesota represents over 230,000 unemployed workers – over two-and-a-half times th...

Redwood Area Development Corporation Celebrates Kenwood Design During Women in Small Business Month

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

The Redwood area is home to a wide variety of businesses, including several highly successful women-owned small businesses. The area’s sought-after interior design studio, Kenwood Design, is owned by Abby Gronli, a thriving entrepreneur with a passion for making a house into a home. Kenwood Design is based out of Wanda, but the team brings interior design to you. “Our design studio is passionate about helping people love where they live. We offer interior design services, ranging from single room refreshes to entire home renovations,” says Gronli. The Kenwood Design goal is to uncover the aesthetic potential each home has to offer whil...

In Focus: Increased Data Center Growth Driven by the COVID-19 Pandemic

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

The stratospheric rise of the cloud over the past few years caught many off guard and created an arms race among the cloud providers, with data center development underpinning the effort. These cloud providers were anticipating ever-increasing demand for the cloud by globally creating a robust and redundant network of massive data centers tethered together through a network of smaller data centers and fiber connection locations. Data centers that service other segments of the market (wholesale colocation, “edge,” and retail) were also riding the wave of increased demand. Little did we know a global pandemic would make data centers and th...

Infrastructure Investment as an Economic Stimulus Tool

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

In times of economic struggle — such as the recession that abruptly arrived with the COVID-19 pandemic — analysts and advocates promote an array of options as effective tools for stimulating the economy. One of the most frequently suggested options is infrastructure spending. Proponents of infrastructure spending during dire economic times view it as a productive job creator and essential foundation for a long-term recovery and return to sustained prosperity. Brian Raff, director of Communications and Public Affairs for the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), cites a 2015 study by the Duke Center on Globalization, Governance, and Competitiveness to demonstrate infrastructure investment’...

7 Ways to Make Your Non-Essential Business Recession-Proof

Monday, October 26, 2020

There are many unpleasant scenarios entrepreneurs plan for in advance, in an effort to stay afloat if and when trouble hits. These scenarios include losing major clients, lawsuits, and the aftermath of natural disasters. Recessions, however, are a league of their own. They are difficult to plan for in advance, and damage control efforts are akin to fighting an uphill battle. In the post-pandemic world, staying afloat has proven to be a greater challenge for businesses in non-essential industries such retail, automotives, and hospitality- which in too many cases ended up putting down the shutters. But is there a way for entrepreneurs behin...

Adding “COVID-19 Community Response” to the Site Selection Checklist

Monday, October 26, 2020

Much has been written about the disruptions of COVID-19 on every line of business. In the realm of economic development, this has included a recommitment to retention and expansion programs, touting quality of life to capture the influx of remote workers, a rush to virtual site tours, and many other endeavors. All of these adjustments will play a part in a community’s success in the years to come. But it seems that when all of them are stacked up, they point to the foundation of a community — or to use a construction expression, they reveal whether a community ha...

Data-Driven Operational Strategies in the Pandemic Era

Monday, October 26, 2020

As state economies struggle between surging cases of COVID-19 and intense pressure to reopen — albeit with varying degrees of restrictions — companies that reduced or halted operations in response to stay-at-home orders are torn between the urgent needs to both restore revenue streams and to ensure the safety of their employees and customers. Since every location has a different dynamic and risk profile, creating a return-to-work strategy is complicated, whether a company operates in five locations or 500. The solution to developing a sound, portfolio-wide strategy includes having ready access to data, analytics, and insights, including regional and community-specifi...

Pizza Ranch Adapts During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Monday, October 26, 2020

Pizza Ranch is a family-friendly buffet-style pizza and chicken restaurant that calls Redwood Falls home. As the general manager of a buffet-style restaurant, Doug Lawrenz has had to make significant adaptations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lawrenz has been running Pizza Ranch for 15 years and he has led the business through many challenges. In spite of these challenges, the restaurant is thriving. As the pandemic spread across the country, restaurants of every category were required to make changes in order to stay in business. Pizza Ranch, too, had to rearrange some operations. “COVID-19 has affected our business quite a bit! We wer...

How Site Selection Can Help Meet Corporate Social Responsibility Commitments

Friday, October 23, 2020

The New Normal in the Automotive Supply Chain

Friday, October 23, 2020

For immediate evidence of disruptions in the automotive supply chain, you need to look no further than your local dealer. Many lots are nearly empty of new vehicles, with average dealer inventories across the U.S. far below the normal 50–60 days’ supply. How did this happen? Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic is a major part of the problem. When automotive production was abruptly halted in March, there were not any new vehicles being produced until early May. Even then, production has been proceeding in fits and starts. At the same time, consumers have continued to purchase vehicles, keeping auto demand surprisingl...

DEED Launches #GoodJobsNow, New Campaign Connecting Minnesota Job Seekers with Employers

Thursday, October 22, 2020

St. Paul – Today, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Commissioner Steve Grove announced the #GoodJobsNow campaign with Rick Trontvet from Marvin Windows in Warroad and Traci Tapani from Wyoming Machine in Stacy. Many Minnesota businesses have open jobs but are reporting having a hard time finding the employees they need. At the same time, Minnesota's unemployment rate remains elevated with workers continuing to seek job opportunities. That's why DEED is launching #GoodJobsNow, an interactive set of resources connecting Minnesota employers hiring right now with job seekers looking for work. "Today, I'm proud to launch the #GoodJobsNow campaign, a new tool to hel...

How Technology Is Making Data Collection for Incentives Programs Applications Easier

Thursday, October 22, 2020

The Importance of Software in Incentives Analysis Software is becoming a bigger part of incentives analysis as clients increasingly want to use this tool. Many clients are building the internal capabilities to perform initial credits and incentives and site location analyses. They want to do some of that research on their own with their internal team prior to pulling in an advisor, or maybe they have an internal team that can handle the project from start to finish. Unless they have the ability to go to all the various jurisdictions under consideration and understand all their programs, the team’s software, dependin...

The Next Recovery: Regional Leaders & Laggards

Thursday, October 22, 2020

To call the road that most metro areas have traveled this year rocky would be akin to labeling Mount Everest a speed bump. But the most turbulent period of our lifetimes will eventually give way to a sustained recovery. And when it does, certain types of metro areas are in far better shape to take advantage. In the short run, places that suffered the steepest job and income losses will struggle most, which bodes especially ill for the Northeast and tourism-dependent Hawaii and Nevada. But what happens after that? Much depends on the course of the virus, such as whether outbreak...

Make Your Next Pitch Instantly More Compelling By Using This One Philosopher's Framework

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Want to know with confidence that your elevator pitch will land? Would clarity and persuasion help you attract more clients, investors, mentors and sales? To maximize success in conversation, ensure you are following Grice’s maxims. Twentieth-century British philosopher Paul Grice shifted the way we think about semantics and language. His maxims for conversation are part of his work on the cooperative principle, which states that when people engage with one another there are unspoken assumptions around how the conversation will unfold. Research tells us that we grasp the nuances of Grice’s maxims from an early age; a 2015 study found that children as young as six year...

Having computer access at home makes a big difference - especially during a pandemic

Tuesday, October 20, 2020

Without a personal computer, Rachel lacked access to training and job applications, especially during the pandemic. But she was determined to gain skills to reach her career goals, despite the technical barriers she faced. Rachel used the computer at her local library to meet virtually with her employment counselors at Hired, a CareerForce partner. She used her phone to listen to online Medical Call Center classes. Halfway through the program, Rachel’s employment counselors surprised her with a laptop, thanks to funding through MicroGrants and Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. Read full article.

5 Creative Approaches To Gain The Attention Of Businesses

Monday, October 19, 2020

So your community didn’t get on the finalist list of Amazon HQ2. Now what? The site selection process is changing and adapting with the trends in business. While it may still be important for you to look for potentially large company relocations, many good business expansions can occur with small to mid-sized companies. But gaining the attention of their businesses requires some creative approaches. #1 TALENT > INCENTIVES Workforce, workforce, workforce. The ability of a community to attract and retain a workforce is ranking at the top of the incentive list. Business owners may still be interested in traditional incentives, but th...

Governor and Lt. Governor, Commissioner Grove Host Manufacturing Discussion

Friday, October 16, 2020

St. Paul - Governor Tim Walz, Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan and Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Commissioner Steve Grove engaged Wednesday in a virtual roundtable discussion with ten leaders from around Minnesota about how the manufacturing industry is doing during the pandemic and key issues it’s facing in the future. Manufacturing, which has long played a key role in the state’s economy, is even more important now as Minnesota focuses on economic recovery from the COVID-19 recession. As the state’s second-largest industry, manufacturing contributed $52.7 billion to Minnesota’s economy last year and employed 324,000 people, with a tota...

Jobs in Demand: Medical Assistants

Friday, October 16, 2020

There is no doubt that the medical field has taken on heightened importance in Minnesota during the COVID-19 pandemic. Regardless of the path of the coronavirus, due to the state’s population growth and aging demographic profile, the need for healthcare support staff will continue to grow. In fact, according to DEED’s Employment Outlook data, healthcare practitioners and technical occupations are projected to rise by 12.4% while healthcare support occupations are slated to increase 14% from 2018 to 2028 in Minnesota. Likewise, Medical Assistants are projected to see 21% job growth, equaling over 2,100 new jobs during this time frame, as well as see almos...

Manufacturing Week Highlights Critical Role Industry Plays in State’s Economy

Thursday, October 01, 2020

St. Paul - Manufacturing, which has long played a key role in the state's economy, is even more important now as Minnesota focuses on revitalizing our economy and rebounding from the impacts of COVID-19. As the state's second-largest industry, manufacturing added $52.7 billion to Minnesota's economy last year. Governor Tim Walz has proclaimed Oct. 1-7 as Minnesota Manufacturing Week. During the week – and throughout the month – manufacturers are opening their doors to virtual tours by the public as a way of attracting new workers and students who are considering careers in manufacturing. "Manufacturing jobs pay good, family-sustaining wages well above the state'...

Manufacturing Week Highlights Critical Role Industry Plays in State’s Economy

Thursday, October 01, 2020

DEED Examines: Where are the Job Seekers?

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Five Common Ways To Fund A Small Business Beyond Personal Savings

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

One of the most cliched statements in starting a small business is that “it takes money to make money”... but it is often true. Many businesses need an infusion of cash to buy essential components of their operations. For a pizzeria, that could be an industrial oven, and for a yard care business, that could be a commercial lawn mower. A common funding practice many new business owners take is to use personal savings and start small by reinvesting profits into the business. This approach, known as bootstrapping, seems rooted in common sense, but can be restrictive to your business’ growt...

6 Steps to Starting a Business Successfully During the Worst of Times

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

I successfully started and grew two coaching businesses during the 2008 economic recession and 2020 pandemic, respectively. Although I wish the world’s circumstances were better when I chose to start these businesses, the truth is sometimes those harsher conditions make a better business. How do you create and grow these brands when all warning signs are telling you to wait? I asked three other people who started or grew their companies under seemingly dire circumstances and used our collective stories to give you a six-step plan for starting a business at any time. Read full article.

How To Keep Women In The Workforce During The Pandemic

Monday, September 28, 2020

We may be losing some of our best leaders to caregiving duties, and the pandemic is sending us backwards when it comes to gender equality. Women’s careers often take a backseat when caregiving duties rise, and women are more vulnerable to job loss during an economic downturn. The research shows that pandemic is hitting women hard on both fronts. Women are more than twice as likely as men to say they handle more than 50% of the caregiving and education responsibilities and 34% of working families are still without childcare coverage, according to Cleo’s State of Working Parents Study. A recent FlexJobs survey reports that 80% of workin...

How to Best Prepare for Site Selector Requests

Thursday, September 24, 2020

Many companies are onshoring manufacturing operations in the wake of COVID-19 delays and supply chain disruptions. As a result of the onshoring trend, community leaders, property managers and developers should be prepared for the opportunity to attract these companies. Site selectors are issuing requests for information as manufacturers in the United States and worldwide seek out ways to protect their supply chains from future disruptions caused by pandemics and a growing number of natural disasters. The most prepared leaders will have the opportunity to compete and win new business for their communities. The Site Selectors Guild touches on the topic o...

Minnesota Business Services Firms Expect Mostly Contracting Conditions in the Next Year

Monday, September 21, 2020

ST. PAUL – Minnesota business service firms expect mostly contracting conditions during the next four quarters due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with slightly more than half (52%) anticipating a decline in consumer spending and corporate profits, according to a joint survey released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Business services firms – such as engineers, accountants and architects – have a mixed outlook on their own profit projections over the next four quarters, with 49% expecting to see a drop, 34% expecting no change, and 17% anticipating an increase in profits. Read ful...

Hidden Bias: Sustaining an Inclusive Workplace

Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Workplace bias takes many forms, but the result is always the same – exclusion of members of the workforce from experiences and opportunities for which they are qualified. We all have hidden biases, and they can prevent businesses from leveraging the talents and perspectives of all members of their workforce. Throughout this series, we’ve given examples of how and where bias often shows up in the workplace, why it is important to examine and how to minimize it. But how do we know if what we’re doing is enough? Hopefully by examining bias, we are learning more about ourselves, but d...

Survey Reveals Manufacturers’ Post-Pandemic Plans

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

Few implications of the COVID-19 pandemic are as consequential to global manufacturers as disruptions to their supply chains. For many, this is the most consequential by far. Supply chains are always a work in progress as such market variables as transportation costs, tariffs and trade agreements force logistics managers to tweak their supply chains a little here, a lot over there and everywhere in between. That’s under normal conditions. Add a global health pandemic originating in the world’s second largest economy and the largest in industrial output, and it’s a whole new ballgame. Read full article.

Could a Post-Pandemic National Industrial Strategy Advance the Cause of Advanced Manufacturing?

Monday, September 14, 2020

As the coronavirus pandemic disrupted global supply chains, a new report released in April by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) urged the U.S. government to develop a national industrial strategy to strengthen the competitive position of advanced, traded-sector industries that are “too critical to fail.” “Even before this pandemic, China posed an unprecedented competitiveness challenge in the advanced industries that are most critical to America’s economic wellbeing and national security,” said ITIF President Robert D. Atkinson, the report’s author and a past contributor to Site Selection. Read full article.

Work from Anywhere?

Monday, September 14, 2020

Somewhere between your umpteenth Zoom meeting of the month and the latest webinar on the economic impacts of COVID-19, this thought probably crossed your mind: “How long will I be working from home?” While an exact answer to that question still eludes most companies, the effects of remote working are starting to come sharply into focus. Read full article.

Small Business Basics Management Series Starts This Week

Friday, September 11, 2020

The Minnesota District Office is continuing to hold virtual trainings to help small businesses and entrepreneurs understand the basics using the Money Smart series that was developed in partnership with the FDIC. Click on the links below for more information and join us in the months ahead to better understand the basics of business ownership. Read full article.

Looking for an entry-level position that can turn into a rewarding and family-sustaining career?

Thursday, September 03, 2020

There are many entry-level jobs in demand now that put Minnesotans on a career path to family-sustaining employment. This week in our Jobs in Demand series, the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is focusing on entry-level health care and social assistance jobs that, with additional training and certification, can help people move down a career path toward greater responsibilities with higher wages. In many cases, employers provide or pay for training leading to career advancement for dedicated employees. Getting an in-demand job and growing in that career may require training to develop new skills before you land the job. Ther...

Hidden Bias in the Workplace: Retention Strategies

Wednesday, September 02, 2020

So you, as an employer, have successfully implemented a recruiting strategy focused on increasing diversity and inclusion in your workforce. Your employee base is different from five years ago. It now includes more individuals of color, women, people with disabilities, people who identify as LGBTQ, and workers of all ages and body types. It is the hope of management that – along with a more diverse workforce – employee longevity is one of the benefits. Retention is as important for employers as developing a strong recruiting strategy that attracts applicants with the right skills in the first place. What is equit...

Workforce Development Efforts Will Help Rebuild a More Equitable Minnesota

Tuesday, September 01, 2020

September is Workforce Development Month – and never in recent memory have investments in our state's workforce been more important. The pandemic has had a dramatic impact on jobs and employment in Minnesota. Our state's unemployment rate as of July is at 7.7%, down more than two percentage points from May, but still more than twice what it was in July 2019, when it was 3.2%. The Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), and our workforce development partners throughout the state, are working to connect unemployed or underemployed Minnesotans during the pandemic with in-demand jobs at employers hiring now. Thi...

5 Effective Strategies for Employee Retention

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Effective hiring and retention practices are key to effective leadership. The reality is that managers that hire well and that are able to keep talented employees produce better results. Replacing employees is time-consuming, expensive, and disruptive. Plus, when an employee leaves, it can impact the entire team and cause a ripple effect of unhappiness or turnover. Read full article.

Hidden Biases in the Workplace: Recruiting and Hiring

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

As discussed in the first article of our series on Hidden Biases in the Workplace, we all have biases. It is critical that you are aware of your biases, especially when recruiting for your company. Humans make decisions every 2.5 seconds: Should I get out of bed or hit snooze one more time? What should I wear today? Do I have time for breakfast? Should I email or call that person? Because of the fast pace of our society, people begin to use intuition for all decisions. This unconscious psychological behavior can lead to biases without our even realizing it. Read full article.

Covering All the Bases: How to Set the Legal Framework for Your New Business

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

By nature, founders are big-picture people; we love envisioning new ways of doing things. The problem, though, is that sometimes we try to paint the bigger picture before we set up the mechanics of actually running a company. The legal side of setting up a business is often seen as a time-consuming chore, brushed under the carpet until it’s a screaming necessity. But to enable your business to run freely, this has to be prioritized before you even consider bringing on clients, hiring staff, or eventually pitching to investors. The legal framework of a business is what ensures that your service or product is protected...

Why Companies Should Onshore in Redwood County

Monday, August 24, 2020

Onshoring is on the mind for business executives who have watched their supply chains be disrupted and product deliveries delayed to COVID-19. For four decades companies have offshored manufacturing operations overseas in order to save costs. COVID-19 has forced companies to ask, “At what cost?” If the cost is an inability to supply customers and fulfil contracts it may not be worth it. With 60% of U.S. manufacturing companies surveyed by Thomas reporting COVID-19 business disruptions this is a widespread issue impacting virtually all industries. Onshoring is the logical solution to reducing the risk of future disruptions and delays, at leas...

Proactive Management of Incentives Deals

Monday, August 03, 2020

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

Parkview Senior Living Maintains Quality Resident Care During COVID-19

Thursday, July 30, 2020

All businesses have been forced to make changes due to COVID-19, but Redwood Area Development Corporation Member Business Parkview Senior Living is one of many senior homes that has taken an especially big hit. Administrator, Megan Zetah, shares with us the necessary changes that were made amidst the pandemic and how it has affected the residents and their family members. Parkview Senior Living, located in Belview, MN, provides various levels of quality care to its patrons, including outpatient therapy, adult day services, independent and assisted living apartments, short-term rehabilitation and skilled nursing services. The 30 bed skilled nursing facility and apartment...

How to Become a Successful Entrepreneur During the Pandemic

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Other than operating a business directly in a warzone, these are some of the most challenging times to be an entrepreneur. The pandemic has brought a range of obstacles to the frontline of the entrepreneurial spirit and is pushing all of the boundaries of business owners. Coronavirus (Covid-19), protests, destructive riots causing damage to stores, floods, and many other events that have occurred in a short block of time sending shockwaves globally. This does not even account for the latest virus that was recently discovered: the Financial Coronavirus (also known as Financial Covid-19), which was covered in my recent story on Thrive Global. Severe restrictions being placed o...

Rethinking Business And Revenue During The Pandemic

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

The year 2020 has undoubtedly been one of the most difficult in recent memory. As the world navigates the coronavirus pandemic, businesses are struggling to find their way in an uncertain environment. In fact, a June survey of 330 U.S. finance leaders by PwC found that many senior managers feel challenged by the need to creatively manage their businesses during the pandemic. The survey discovered that about half (47%) of finance leaders expect their company’s revenues to decline more than 10% in 2020. We can even see this in large, seemingly recession-proof companies. According to CNBC, Google will see a drop of more tha...

For some small farms, Covid-19 pandemic has been good for business

Monday, July 27, 2020

The Covid-19 pandemic has sown chaos throughout the food sector, triggering shortages of some products and gluts of others. But some family farms have found their own fortunes lifted by the upheaval. That's one of the takeaways from a Pioneer Press story that talks with small-scale farmers that have seen demand soar for products like zucchini, pick-your-own fruits and locally raised meats. Read full article.

News & Events

COVID-19 brought many challenges to people and businesses alike during the past few months. While some stores have been forced to permanently close their doors, many are able to survive, and even thrive, in the face of this adversity. A&W Furniture is one store that remains stronger than ever.

_{COVID-19 brought many challenges to people and businesses alike during the past few months. While some stores have been forced to permanently close their doors, many are able to survive, and even thrive, in the face of this adversity. A&W Furniture is one store that remains stronger than ever.}