News & Events

Everything In The $1.2 Trillion Infrastructure Bill: New Roads, Electric School Buses And More

Friday, December 03, 2021

President Joe Biden on Monday signed into law one of the largest infrastructure packages in U.S. history after months of bipartisan negotiations and tense political infighting, shoring up $1.2 trillion in funds, including $550 billion in new investments for the nation's bridges, airports, waterways, public transit and more—here's what you need to know about where the massive new spending will go. Roads and bridges: Headlining the 2,702-page bill’s spending, roughly $110 billion of new funds would go toward improving the nation's roads and bridges, and investments in other major transportation programs. Read full article.

Ramping Up Cybersecurity in the Industrial Sector

Thursday, December 02, 2021

The world of real estate is making significant strides toward adopting the latest and most innovative technologies. But with more tech comes heightened risk. One of the latest ransomware attacks this year impacted up to 1,500 businesses globally by targeting U.S. IT company, Kaseya. Brazilian meatpacking company, JBS, also experienced a cybersecurity attack that forced the company to shut down operations, which could have been detrimental to its supply chain and to the U.S. food supply. In January 2021, a hacker was able to break into a water treatment plant system (by stealing an employee’s username and password) in a...

How States Can Avoid Costly Pitfalls While Rebuilding Their Economies

Wednesday, December 01, 2021

In 2010, Michigan’s economy was reeling. The Great Recession had hit the state hard and U.S. automakers were struggling to survive. Seeking to ease the pain, state officials authorized tax credits under the Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) program as part of long-term deals with distressed automakers. But the program did not include fiscal protections to control the state’s costs. This would prove to be a damaging misstep years later when Michigan had to close a multi-million-dollar budget gap with spending cuts after automakers began claiming credits in larger amounts than expected. How did this happen? When developing the agreements, th...

Jobs and Wage Growth Continue in Minnesota

Thursday, November 18, 2021

Minnesota's unemployment rate in October 2021 is back to where it was immediately before the global pandemic was declared in March 2020 at 3.5% (revised), down two-tenths of a percentage point from September, according to numbers released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The decline in Minnesota's unemployment rate in October was primarily due to people moving from unemployment to employment, although the size of the labor force shrank slightly by nearly 1,000 people. Nationally, the unemployment rate fell two-tenths of a percentage point to 4.6%. Read full article.

Top 50 Best Undergrad Programs for Entrepreneurs in 2022

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

There are those who describe the current, faster-and-faster-moving marketplace as a fourth industrial revolution, and the best entrepreneurship programs are those that help students appropriately speed up and, when necessary, scale up their ideas, from unicorns to innovative business models. Students who enroll at these schools will find themselves at the forefront of innovation and development, and often with an interdisciplinary focus that acknowledges the interconnectedness of today's economy. Perhaps more importantly, they will also get opportunities to enrich themselves and their communities, adding economic and social value through innovation, team building, and leadership. Read full article.

DEED Announces Small Business Partnership Grant Awardees

Friday, November 12, 2021

The Department of Employment and Economic Development is announcing recipients of the Small Business Partnership Grant Program: non-profits and public entities who will provide and facilitate business development and technical assistance to entrepreneurs and small businesses. This program was increased by $7M to $9.8M by the legislature and signed by Governor Walz to provide resources to businesses across Minnesota who have faced unprecedented challenges over the past two years. The purpose of this grant is to support the start-up, growth, and success of Minnesota's entrepreneurs and small business owners through the delivery of high quality free or low-cost professional business developmen...

Thank You, Veterans

Thursday, November 11, 2021

Today is Veterans Day, a day to thank the veterans in your life for their service and to remember veterans past and present throughout this country who have made great sacrifices when their nation needed them. I urge you to take a moment to thank veterans you know. There are 304,000 current and former military members who call Minnesota home. At the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development we work hard every day to offer veterans the priority employment services they have earned. Read full article.

The Future of Content Lies in Transparent and Digital Publishing

Thursday, November 11, 2021

Industries and businesses have continued embracing the inevitable digital transformation ever since the Industrial Revolution 4.0 gained momentum. But, the publishing industry is one area that has experienced the transformational impact of digitization up close in the last year as the approach to content gets more transparent and focused on human interests. But, how much truth does this statement hold in the current scenario? Digital publishing has been in full swing for the past few years and is significantly driving every industry now at a critical crossroads. Read full article.

How To Do Business In A Virtual World

Monday, November 08, 2021

Follow these actionable steps to do business in a virtual world whether your audience includes site consultants from overseas or stakeholders in your own backyard. How To Do Business In A Virtual World If you aren’t already doing so, now is the time you need to learn how to do business in a virtual world. With or without a pandemic, you’re going to need to be able to meet in a virtual setting. Technology is rapidly growing and organizations are adapting to meet this change. Read full article.

What Type Of Strategic Plan(s) Does My Community Need For Growth?

Monday, November 08, 2021

Planning is the key to sustainable, managed growth, and choosing the best type of strategic plan is equally important. When a community grows too quickly, or haphazardly, resources and infrastructure are strained. When it grows too slowly, the seeds are planted for a steady cycle of decline. Different communities, at different phases in their evolution, need different plans. The best plans begin with introspection. When was the last time your EDO took a careful look at your overarching vision? How recently have you explored what the members of your community need and want by way of surveys or town hall meetings...

Front Line: Finding, Creating, and Supporting Talent

Wednesday, November 03, 2021

“You win or lose based on the talent you have and the culture you create that allows your talent to thrive.” That’s the word shared by Steve Presley, chairman and CEO of Nestlé USA, and it’s wisdom with which most successful corporate leaders would agree. Presley says his company found the necessary talent in Virginia, where it moved headquarters operations three years ago. Finding, creating, and supporting that level of talent is what the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program is all about. It’s a workforce incentive that’s far more than simply a training program, according to Mike Grundmann, who oversees the program a...

Solutions for Decisively Navigating the Location Decision

Tuesday, November 02, 2021

Site selection professionals travel all over the United States, looking at hundreds of potential sites for development with a goal of finding suitable sites for their clients. What does it mean to achieve success? Ultimately, they must be incredibly efficient in evaluating and narrowing site lists, while balancing a seemingly endless spectrum of potential conditions and visualizing optimal scenarios for the end user’s product/facility. In the context of site selection, many challenges need to be decisively navigated. High-definition vision: Real solutions that decisively navigate site selection are key to generating a successful site plan, which ensures the end users’ requirements ar...

First Person: Creating a Work Environment For Employee Growth and Development

Monday, November 01, 2021

In August, Rocki Rockingham was named Chief Human Resources Officer for GE Appliances. Area Development’s editor recently asked her about the company’s strategy to build upon its recent global “Great Place to Work” recognition and to create a workplace culture that attracts and retains top talent. Area Development: Despite the high unemployment rate created by the pandemic, companies are still struggling to find skilled labor. How does GE Appliances’ workplace culture factor into attracting these workers? Rocki Rockingham: Having a great culture is critical to attracting talent and our success. This year, 81 percent of employees said GE Appliances is a grea...

Grow Minnesota! 2021 Fall Quarterly

Monday, November 01, 2021

Grow Minnesota! is stronger because of the collective work of its extensive partnership. Local chambers of commerce and economic development entities that focus on retaining and growing Minnesota businesses comprise the partnership. Grow Minnesota! partner organizations receive access to a wealth of resources. Our partners are working year-round to strengthen and improve the business climate in their communities, while also contributing to: Continue to improve businesses’ knowledge of our resources and support for their growth in Minnesota. Solve businesses’ problems that impede their success in Minnesota. Read full article.

How COVID-19 Permanently Digitized Site Selection (Part II)

Monday, November 01, 2021

In my last post, I described how the COVID pandemic has irrevocably changed the practice of corporate site selection and economic development. This has also been fostered by large business media outlets telling many new stories of how COVID has disrupted and enabled new ways to replace traditional business practices. Fast Company screenshotFor example, Fast Company (approximately 20 million page views each month) published the story “How this engineering company found its new production plant over Zoom.” Read full article.

The 2 Types of Fear That Stop Most Entrepreneurs and How You Can Use Them to Fuel Your Success

Monday, November 01, 2021

Too often, we talk about fear as if it were only for people destined to fail. Cowards who never had the courage to succeed. But, if we're honest, we can admit that we all feel some fear. In particular, we have all feared that we are not good enough and that we are not loved. In this video, Entrepreneur Network partner Raul Villacis explains how you can not only embrace those fears, but tap into them and turn them into fuel. Read full article.

‘Starlink,’ SpaceX’s internet service, is growing in Minnesota. What that could mean for the future of rural broadband.

Friday, October 29, 2021

When Kati Stage moved from the Twin Cities to Embarrass in rural northern Minnesota last summer, her only choice for internet was HughesNet, a satellite service she said was slow “since day one.” Then, in November, she one day noticed a “strange long line of lights” pass above her in the sky. After some Googling, she found out what it was: Starlink. The service, owned by Elon Musk’s rocket company SpaceX, offers broadband through a growing network of low-orbiting satellites, which now number more than 1,700 and can look like a string of lights as they move. Read full article.

Gov. Walz Makes Business Pitch to “Join Us” in Minnesota

Thursday, October 28, 2021

Gov. Tim Walz and the state’s economic development leaders intend to get more aggressive about pitching Minnesota as a place to start and grow business. On Wednesday, they unveiled a new website, JoinUsMn.com that makes the case for building business in Minnesota with information on key industries, talent, and quality of life. “We’re talking to hundreds of companies a week. This gives us a core DNA,” said Department of Employment and Economic Development commissioner Steve Grove. “We don’t sit on top of a giant marketing budget. You’re not going to see a Super Bowl commercial from us. Our goal here i...

How COVID-19 Permanently Digitized Site Selection

Thursday, October 28, 2021

Have you ever had a meal, gone on a date, or enjoyed a vacation so good it made you never want to repeat the lower quality experiences you’ve had in the past? Why would you want to eat bad food, date a loser, or suffer scratchy hotel sheets when you knew there was a better way for you to live and you could keep living that way? That ah-ha moment is the same realization that happened with corporate site selection during COVID, and why professionals will not go back to the old way of doing business. close up of businessma...

DEED Launches New Platform to Pitch Minnesota to the World

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

Today, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) launched a first of its kind coordinated campaign with businesses and economic development partners across the state. The goal is to share with the world why Minnesota is a phenomenal place to build a business or advance your career. The platform is founded on Minnesota's long history of building things that matter. Minnesotans have pioneered open heart surgery and supercomputing, invented in-ear hearing aids and the pacemaker, and we've created such innovations as the concrete grain elevator, post-it notes, and water-skiing. Today, our businesses are continuing that tradition of problem-solving. People buil...

Celebrating Minnesota Manufacturers

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

Throughout the month of October, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has been celebrating the critical role manufacturing plays in our state’s economy and drawing attention to the many great employment opportunities in the sector. DEED’s Workforce Strategy Consultants organized virtual and in-person events, like the CTE Jamboree in Cold Spring, MN (see photo at right). CareerForce staff and partners hosted hiring events ranging from events focused on single local manufacturing employers to events featuring manufacturers across the state. DEED helped get the word out about the dozens of Minnesota manufacturers offering virtual tours to students an...

How Do Minnesota Businesses Leverage Digital Technologies?

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

The Grow Minnesota! program surveyed 360 small and medium-sized businesses this summer to better understand how they are investing in digital technologies and what they need to better leverage these tools for innovation and growth. Why is this important? A growing body of research shows that digital technologies are driving performance outcomes for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in the U.S. and around the world. The COVID-19 pandemic only accelerated this trend. Read full article.

How to Stamp Out Employee Burnout

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

There’s been much made of an impending “turnover tsunami” lately, with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) being one of the first to sound the warning bell for organizations working hard to fill open positions and, especially, to recruit talent for hard-to-fill roles during a pandemic that continues to create challenges for employers and employees alike. Before the pandemic, employees had been suffering from a range of mental health issues business owners were attempting to address. Since the pandemic, these issues have only gotten worse. Employee stressors taking a toll Employees feel out of control because, to a large degree, they are...

The Global Minimum Tax Agreement: Why It Matters For America’s Small Businesses

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

This week, leaders from the G20 (or Group of Twenty), an intergovernmental forum of 19 countries and the European Union, are meeting on a number of issues related to the global economy. One critical item is an international tax agreement on a global minimum corporate tax rate of 15% for multinational corporations. This agreement forged by the Biden Administration with nearly 140 countries is the first of its kind and could be a milestone in tax fairness for small businesses if Congress ratifies it. For decades, small businesses have been crushed by a race to the bottom where big corporations ca...

7 Reasons Your Community Needs A New Strategic Plan To Grow

Monday, October 25, 2021

If there is one thing economic developers have in common, it’s a strategic plan to grow. Experience has taught them that taking a measured, proactive approach is a cornerstone to success. Have you put off creating a new strategic plan? Here Are Seven Reasons To Make Creating A Strategic Plan Your Priority 1.) A Stratgic Plan Brings Community Partners Together. According to LISA HURLEY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF YORK COUNTY DEVELOPMENT IN NEBRASKA, good communication and solid collaboration between government agencies and nonprofits is essential when it comes to tackling issues. "We can't solve every issue by ourselves. It takes collaboration,” she says. Hurley goes on to stress the importance of updating the strategic plan annually, and making sur...

Inclusive Communication: Opening Up Doors of Understanding

Monday, October 25, 2021

You post a position. A week later, you receive a stack of qualified applicants. You see a resume that looks intriguing, and you think, “I have to bring this person in.” You find a phone number on the resume, and when you call it you hear a voice saying, You will now be connected to an interpreter. Wait…what?! Your focus changes abruptly. Instead of connecting with an intriguing candidate, you’re about to have a conversation, through an interpreter, with a person who has a disability. You start second guessing yourself and wonder why you even made that phone call. You’re not alone...

Farmers are getting paid to fight climate change by cultivating a new cash crop: carbon

Sunday, October 24, 2021

LITTLE FALLS — Minnesota agronomist Amy Robak describes budding carbon markets as the wild west. And she's not the only one who sees it that way. "There's no regulatory bubble around it," Robak said. There's still debate about just how much carbon farmers can intentionally draw from the air and deposit into the soil, a process called carbon sequestration. Read full article.

Laurie's great advice: treat job search like full-time job

Friday, October 22, 2021

Laurie had been working with CareerForce specialist Angele Hartell and other CareerForce staff for several months. That good work paid off when Laurie was offered the exact position she’d hoped for. Laurie recently called Angele to share the good news. The two celebrated her success over the phone, then reflected on how she achieved it. “I think people need to realize two things,” Laurie stated. “Job search really is like a full-time job, and for many people, it starts with acknowledging the feelings of loss and grief about the last job ending.” Angele agreed: “If people don’t intentionally manage their thoughts an...

Groundbreaking held for Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery project

Wednesday, October 20, 2021

Despite less than ideal weather conditions, a nice crowd of local veterans and supporters gathered east of Redwood Falls on Wednesday, Oct. 13 for the groundbreaking ceremony for the upcoming Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery. The event — which included notable Minnesota politicians and administrators — was the first step in the development of the Veterans Cemetery which has been in the works for over 12 years. The project will feature 10 separate phases on 81 acres of land, near the eastern edge of town, overlooking the Minnesota River Valley. The National Cemetery Administration (NCA) of the US Department of Veterans Affair...

One Big Idea: Bring Skilled Trades to Students

Wednesday, October 20, 2021

As a Career Advisor and Youth Service Coordinator with CareerForce Moorhead, Deb Grant helps youth learn about job possibilities as they exit their high school years. One key to that process, Grant said, is exposing students to opportunities they never knew existed. “We tell kids anything is possible, but one student had an excellent reflection for me,” said Grant. “She said, how can I know what I want to be if I do not know what is out there?” With that in mind, Grant found the perfect opportunity for her students with Big Ideas, a non-profit organization from New Ulm that provide...

Overcoming Barriers, One Step at a Time

Friday, October 15, 2021

When you think about it, a white cane is a pretty rudimentary tool. There’s nothing high tech about it. There’s not much by way of design or engineering to speak of. It’s just a long skinny pole. And it’s white. Back in 1921, a blind man named James Briggs painted his walking stick white in order to have greater visibility on busy streets that were becoming more and more congested with automobiles. The use of a white cane to signify that a pedestrian was blind soon gained acceptance in Europe and the United States. In a similar way, dogs have been working togethe...

10 Financial Trends Every Entrepreneur Needs to Know for 2022

Monday, October 11, 2021

Financial innovations and trends can often propel businesses forward in ways they never imagined. But it isn’t always easy to keep tabs on the ever-evolving world of finance, especially when you’re an entrepreneur already stretched thin. Join us for a free webinar, 10 Financial Trends Every Entrepreneur Needs to Know for 2022, presented by Oracle NetSuite and produced by Entrepreneur. We’ll hear from a pair of financial industry experts to uncover the financial tools and strategies every entrepreneur should be aware of when analyzing the full picture of their business. Read full article.

Consider a Career in Manufacturing!

Tuesday, October 05, 2021

Manufacturing jobs pay well. In fact, average annual wages for workers in Manufacturing in Minnesota are $70,860 – that’s 10% higher than wage across all industries in Minnesota. Plus many Manufacturing positions offer opportunities for advancement on a promising career path. Many manufacturing jobs can be started with a high school diploma and employer-provided on-the-job training, That said, the Manufacturing industry needs people with all levels of education, from a high school diploma or equivalent to advance degrees in science, technology, math or engineering. There are many current and future Manufacturing employment opportunities in Minnesota. Several of the current To...

Insights On The Five Stages Of Small Business Growth

Tuesday, October 05, 2021

Even during the best of times, starting a small business is tough. During the Covid-19 pandemic, it became a quest for survival. While roughly one-third of small businesses were closed amid the lockdowns, many have reopened their doors or launched anew as consumer demand roars back. Each of the 31.7 million small businesses in the U.S. has its own unique flavor, challenges and path to success. Some never expand beyond a single founder; others could scale to become the next unicorn. Along the way, many founders will face common sets of challenges as they reach new levels of success. For that reason...

Supply Chain Bottlenecks Creating New “Logistical Hotspots”

Monday, October 04, 2021

Most businesses have not escaped supply chain challenges over the previous 12 months. When everyone expected COVID-19 to slow demand, it accelerated demand to a point where supply chains were stretched to their limits. But it not just COVID — the winter storm of 2021 reduced Texas’ capacity to refine petroleum, which created a ripple effect for a reduced ability to manufacture nearly all paints. Major manufacturers of cushion foam were also hit by a hurricane, causing multiple industries to temporarily shut down for repairs, which has exacerbated the shortage due to high demand. Currently, many companies, both large an...

Why Servant Leadership is Becoming the Leadership Style of the Future

Saturday, October 02, 2021

Many people hear of transformative leadership, which sees people's needs as a means to an end. Transformative leadership believes that fulfilling people's needs will bring a positive change in them. However, servant leadership is a style of leadership that has been gaining popularity because it sees people's needs as the end in itself. Servant leadership does not expect any outcome other than simply fulling the needs of people. It is implied that serving them will only do well for them. Servant leadership today Servant leadership is not only found in theory anymore. Researchers have shifted their studies to empirically verifiable research findings...

National Disability Employment Awareness Month Highlights Importance of Inclusive Hiring

Friday, October 01, 2021

ST. PAUL – Minnesotans with disabilities play a critical role in our economy and provide immense value to our work environments. October marks the 76th annual observation of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, which is themed as America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion. Minnesota’s economy and its competitiveness require the contributions of all people, including those with disabilities. Our recovery will be powered by inclusion In honor of this national celebration, Governor Tim Walz has proclaimed October as Disability Employment Awareness Month in Minnesota, recognizing that individuals with disabilities are valuable and productive contributors to our economy and taxpayers in the workforce. Rea...

October is Manufacturing Month in Minnesota

Friday, October 01, 2021

St. Paul - Governor Walz has proclaimed the entire month of October as Manufacturing Month, which kicks off today, recognizing the critical importance of manufacturing to Minnesota’s economy and highlighting the many career opportunities in this vital industry. Manufacturing provided 14% of the state’s gross domestic product and accounted for 11.4% of statewide employment in 2020. Over 309,000 people work in manufacturing in Minnesota and, in terms of direct and indirect jobs, manufacturing supports almost 900,000 jobs, or roughly 33% of all the state’s jobs. Average annual wages for workers in manufacturing are $70,860, 10% higher than across all industries i...

RFFD to observe Fire Prevention Week with Open House and school visits

Friday, October 01, 2021

Fire Prevention Week is observed around the country Oct. 3 through Oct. 9. The date of the week is set to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire, a tragic 1871 fire that killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres. After this tragedy the issue of fire prevention came to the forefront and over the years has been studied by fire departments everywhere. Fire Prevention Week is an annual event that local fire departments utilize to provide fire prevention education to the public, often by starting with the youngest member...

The Challenges of Renovating an Existing Facility Into a Food Plant

Friday, October 01, 2021

Jeffrey Counsell’s article in Area Development, “Siting a New Production Plant: A Challenge Intensifies”, was an excellent discussion of a new dynamic in food plant site selection: avoiding second-generation food plants solely due to the potential risk of pathogens. I also teach this tactic of risk management. Early in my career, I saw projects where second-, third- or fourth-generation food plants were seen as a bargain, because their square-foot costs were very low. They were on the market because they had been closed down by the previous owner due to microbiological contamination! The new buyers were thrilled that they snagge...

Waymo’s Path To Robot Truck Business Means Mastering Wind, Flares And Pedestrians On The Highway

Friday, October 01, 2021

Waymo, Alphabet Inc.’s autonomous driving company, is vague on exactly when semis controlled by its technology will be hauling cargo—without drivers—across the U.S., but has a detailed list of challenges to be mastered first, ranging from rough winds and slick roads, stray pedestrians on the highway and figuring out how robot trucks can deploy safety flares when they have to pull over. The company’s robotaxis have been hauling paying passengers in suburban Phoenix for the past few years and just won permission from California’s Department of Motor Vehicles to charge for on-demand rides in electric Jaguar crossovers in San Francisco an...

Why two Minnesota colleges are starting meat cutting programs

Friday, October 01, 2021

Starting next year, two colleges in the Minnesota State system plan to offer courses in a field not usually associated with higher education: meat cutting. The Staples campus of Central Lakes College and Ridgewater College in Willmar and Hutchinson are launching programs aimed at training the next generation of animal slaughter, butchery and processing workers. Central Lakes is even getting $150,000 from the Minnesota Legislature for its program, in part because lawmakers view it as a way to train workers for smaller and mid-sized processing facilities that make farmers less reliant on a handful of massive slaughterhouses — plants that shut dow...

Announcing Appointments to the Launch Minnesota Advisory Board

Thursday, September 30, 2021

As Launch Minnesota, our statewide collaboration to support technology startups enters its third year, I’m excited to announce our new appointments to its advisory board including Alfonso Cornish II with Gener8tor, Yu Sunny Han Founder of Fulcrum and Benjamin Wright Vice President of 3M Ventures. Each of the 10 members of our advisory board come from unique backgrounds in technology and entrepreneurship. We believe their wisdom and guidance will help Launch Minnesota empower a stronger startup ecosystem for everyone. Since Launch Minnesota’s creation two years ago, we have already awarded $3.2 million in grants to 104 innovative startups. Our grantees hav...

Communicating Your Project’s Value to Local Stakeholders

Thursday, September 30, 2021

Congratulations. Your business is growing! Revenue is up, and you just launched a new product that is flying off the shelves. The only problem is you need to hire more people and you have no place to put them. You have hired a site selector, and they have found the perfect location — good access to interstates, labor, and everything else you could want. The only concern is the public. The community likes its small-town rural feel and is worried your project will change their lifestyle too much. You need an economic impact study. Put simply, an economic impact study estimate...

Minneapolis Convention Center Unveils $2.9M Plaza Redesign

Thursday, September 30, 2021

The Minneapolis Convention Center on Thursday afternoon will formally unveil a $2.9 million redesign of its main plaza. In a news release, center officials described it as a “more sustainable public green space.” At a construction cost of $2.9 million, the redesign features a new irrigation method that uses the center’s stormwater capture system. The project also includes an urban meadow planted with native tree and plant species to create downtown’s “largest pollinator refuge.” Designed by Damon Farber Landscape Architects for environmental sustainability, the 2.5-acre the convention center plaza is built on top of an underground parking ramp and includes a law...

Changes in the Incentives Landscape

Wednesday, September 29, 2021

The economic development industry and the site selection process saw significant changes brought on by the events of 2020 — from economic development groups learning how to conduct effective virtual site tours to managing the disbursement of federal funding through the Cares Act. These changes may have been more manageable had it not been for the abundance of industrial activity in 2020, leaving many economic development organizations stretched very thin, which is still taking its toll today, and the inability for some locations to keep up with inquiries and activities. imilarly, for most businesses and industries, while 2020 brought new challenges...

Greater Workforce Shortages in Greater Minnesota

Wednesday, September 29, 2021

Many businesses across the state – and across the country – have had a hard time finding employees this year. But the hiring difficulties can’t just be blamed on the pandemic. Demographic trends in process for decades are a key part of the challenge, especially in Greater Minnesota. People dropping out of the labor force due to the pandemic is part of the problem right now, but the more systemic reasons for workforce shortages are years of economic growth, an aging workforce heading toward retirement, and fewer young people to replace them. Read full article.

How to Keep Employees Engaged in a Remote Workplace

Wednesday, September 29, 2021

Remote working is now one of the more popular ways for businesses to keep their staff. The pandemic made it necessary for many companies to shift their operations into a less office-centric environment for fear of infection. Now, with vaccines available, the question has been raised as to whether businesses will continue to allow remote working for employees. Unsurprisingly, most companies have realized that remote working has made for more effective employees. Gartner mentions that 80% of firms are looking at some form of mixed working arrangement with employees still allowed to work from home for some part of th...

Resident Recruitment Efforts: Greater Minnesota Communities on the Cutting Edge

Wednesday, September 29, 2021

Did you know that Minnesota communities are recognized around the country for their resident recruitment efforts? It’s true! Minnesota is a leader in rural resident recruitment thanks in part to the University of Minnesota Extension’s pioneering rural movers research, which is focused on finding out why people move to rural areas. Extension has worked for over a decade to disseminate those findings to rural communities throughout Minnesota and across the country. Those communities used the findings to expand and coordinate their local and regional economic development efforts with community development and tourism – resulting in today’s comprehensive resident recruitment initiatives. Sinc...

The Path Forward for Tech Talent Diversity

Tuesday, September 28, 2021

The tech talent workforce is steadily getting more diverse each year as employers emphasize it in recruitment and retention strategies. Still, diversity remains a challenge for tech employers, and to address it we must first understand its scope and implications. By most measures, tech talent in the U.S. long has lacked diversity in comparison to the general workforce. This lack of diversity means tech employers are missing out on significant sources of talent and new ideas. CBRE has examined the scope of this issue by including analysis of tech diversity for the first time in its annual Scoring Tech Talent report. Fo...

Feeding the Institutional Roots of Life Sciences Clusters

Monday, September 27, 2021

Leave it to a nun to get it done.” The good sisters have always seemed to have a way of making what seems impossible happen. In 1999, Emmanuel College, a small Catholic liberal arts college in Boston’s Fenway neighborhood, had fewer than 500 students, a dwindling endowment and none of the amenities that attracted students to bigger universities in the Boston college market. The 17-acre campus was in danger of closing when the college’s president, Sister Janet Eisner, brokered a deal. Located near top hospitals Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children’s Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, the college partnered with Merck, on...

Thank you, CareerForce

Monday, September 27, 2021

“Thank you for all the work you do. Please know that it makes a difference.” “Want to tell you how much I appreciated your kindness when I was going through a very low point in my life.” “Thank you for all your help and the connection you helped me make with the Dislocated Worker Program” “Thank you for helping me find a new job, especially during this unique pandemic time.” Those are just a few of the many thank you messages CareerForce staff have received from grateful Minnesotans who received career exploration and job search assistance during the pandemic. Of course, CareerForce staff wer...

3 Success Strategies for Crafting the Perfect Elevator Pitch

Thursday, September 23, 2021

Entrepreneurs know that running a business means many things — product development, fundraising, marketing, branding, customer service and more. Distilling everything your company is down to one 60-second elevator pitch might seem like an impossible task. For Sonia and Bill Massey, co-founders of product development consultancy TimeAway LLC and its flagship product The Restroom Kit, crafting the perfect elevator pitch took time and practice. But after appearing on Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch and Steve Harvey's reality show Funderdome, the duo have their pitch down to a science. Read full article.

A Good Jobs Now call connects Lynn with CareerForce resources

Wednesday, September 22, 2021

Lynn was laid off during the pandemic and not aware of all the career exploration and job search resources available to her, until she got a call in July from Gina Meixner at CareerForce in Bloomington. Gina shared information about online resources including the many CareerForce online workshops, a weekly virtual job club hosted by CareerForce staffer Paul Sears and specialized job search resources for people over age 50. Gina also encouraged Lynn to apply for the Dislocated Worker program, which made a whole new slate of training and job search resources available to Lynn. Read full article.

Duluth group pitches I-35 removal

Tuesday, September 21, 2021

An idea from a group of volunteers to reimagine the Interstate 35 corridor in Duluth, which runs between its downtown and popular tourism neighborhood Canal Park, is gaining city and state attention. The group, called the Duluth Waterfront Collective, is pitching the removal of the interstate in favor of creating a parkway. This redevelopment, the group says, could increase activity in one of the city’s most important industries, tourism, as well as spur development. Read full article.

CareerForce can help you navigate a career change

Monday, September 20, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed Minnesota’s job market in unprecedented ways. From the largest and fastest job loss in state history to the steepest and swiftest employment recovery Minnesota has ever witnessed, the job market has been shaken up like never before. Now, there are tens of thousands of jobs available across the state and employers are scrambling to find workers to fill them. As jobs are coming back, they aren’t always in the same fields or requiring the same skills as the jobs that were lost. This means you may need to gain new skills to find a jo...

Greater MSP Launches Career Network to Recruit BIPOC Talent

Tuesday, September 14, 2021

Two years after completing college, young graduates of color are more likely to be stuck in part-time or seasonal employment than their peers, according to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. In an effort to close that gap, the Greater MSP Partnership is launching ConnextMSP, an inclusive talent network designed to recruit, hire, and support young BIPOC professionals. “Every year in our region, thousands of students of color graduate with degrees and certificates but face barriers to landing career-track jobs,” Greater MSP President and CEO Peter Frosch said in a statement. “ConnextMSP will help break down systemic barriers, advanc...

How ZoomProspector works like an extra staff member for your team

Thursday, September 09, 2021

GIS Planning’s clients range from small towns with a single economic development person (who often also handles duties at the chamber, the city manager’s office etc.) to large cities or regional and statewide economic development agencies with large staffs. But no matter the size of the EDO is, they always have more projects and incoming requests than people or time. Fortunately, GIS Planning clients can rely on the equivalent of an extra staff member with ZoomProspector working for their region. Read full article.

Auto Industry Is Betting on Sustainability

Friday, September 03, 2021

Within the plethora of buzzwords that grew in popularity over the COVID-19 pandemic, there is one that will live on stronger throughout the foreseeable future. Beyond terms like lockdowns, mandates, bottlenecks, shortages, SPACs, and inflation, it’s the word sustainability that will have a lasting effect on companies, their employees, and their customers for the next 100 years. This term is the same one that has been nagging on the ear of executives throughout industries for decades. A small annoyance perhaps at the bottom of the barrel, but now it is, or should be, cemented on to-do lists across the globe. ...

2021 Leaders Lab Profiles

Thursday, September 02, 2021

Leaders Lab is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to engage Minnesota’s developing business leaders (approximately late 20s to 30s). It will enhance your personal and professional growth, connect you with business leaders statewide, and provide understanding into what drives Minnesota’s economy and how policy affects the success of business in our state. The program consists of four sessions two-day sessions. To learn more about Leaders Lab, click here. Check back to this page as more of our wonderful 2021 Leaders Lab participants are profiled! Read full article.

Shifting Dynamics in a Post-Pandemic World

Thursday, September 02, 2021

Many individuals and small businesses have faced enormous hardships over the last 18 months — illness, layoffs, furloughs, shortages, remote schooling — due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. During this same period, governments too, at both the state and local levels, faced unprecedented challenges as they worked to address the pandemic’s impact on their citizens. Charged with protecting public health and safety, governments have responded to the pandemic by supporting critical infrastructure, especially in healthcare. They’ve established new sources of funding, improved coordination between agencies, and supported vulnerable populations, rapidly deploying stimulus funding while trying to monitor its use and effectiveness...

U.S. Space Race Propels the Nation to New Heights

Wednesday, September 01, 2021

In 1961, President Kennedy proclaimed that the United States should “commit itself to achieving the goal, before the decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the Earth.” Thus began the space race that has over the years spawned numerous innovative companies and exceptional research. One only must consider in awe the launch of private citizens and entrepreneurs Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos into space 60 years later. On July 11, Branson entered the edge of outer space in his space craft, the Virgin Galactic — the result of nearly 17 years of developmen...

Building a Sustainable Global Semiconductor Supply Chain

Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Hemlock Semiconductor in Saginaw, Michigan, is the nation’s largest manufacturer of ultra-pure polysilicon that is sliced by other manufacturers into wafers to be used in solar cells and semiconductors. Area Development’s editor recently asked the company’s senior vice president of Advocacy and Engagement about the recent shortage in the global production of semiconductors that has been causing delays in the manufacture of products utilizing these chips. Area Development: How does Hemlock think the U.S. should respond to China’s efforts to dominate the market for both polysilicon and semiconductors? Brooke Beebe: Policy actions such as the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (USICA) an...

Connecting Skills To Opportunities

Monday, August 30, 2021

The State of Nevada is on top of things. For close to 10 years, they’ve been focused on where industry is going and what it means for the future of work in the state. State leaders like Bob Potts, deputy director at the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) have recognized its legacy industries (gaming, entertainment, and tourism) have been on a maturing path for decades. They’ve thus been working to identify the state’s comparative advantages in various industries to better diversify. “We looked at advanced manufacturing, technology, healthcare, logistics and operations, and energy,” Potts said. “We were doing reverse staffin...

2021 Entrepreneur of the Year Awards

Sunday, August 29, 2021

EY is celebrating the 35th anniversary of its Entrepreneur Of The Year program, which recognizes CEOs and regional business leaders for their outstanding entrepreneurial accomplishments and major contributions to their communities. Eight business innovators from seven Minnesota companies received the Entrepreneur Of The Year Heartland Award during a second-ever virtual awards program on July 27. Seven states in the nation’s midsection make up EY’s Heartland region. Executives from 19 other Minnesota companies were finalists for the award. Twin Cities Business profiles these accomplished business leaders in this issue, including an up-close look at the Minnesota winners, who were interviewed by TCB’s Gene Rebec...

Jason thanks his CareerForce Vets “Dream Team”

Friday, August 27, 2021

Jason is a U.S. military veteran who sought help finding a job during the pandemic. He reached out to CareerForce Veterans Employment Services staff for help translating his military experience in a way that would showcase his skills to civilian employers. After he found employment, Jason reached out again to say thank you to what he called his job search “Dream Team”. “I found success by plugging myself into the system,” said Jason. “I also tapped into the weekly Eagle Group MN Zoom calls hosted by Stephen Kolcinski and Alan Hill where I was able to meet the team and get feedbac...

COVID-19 Vaccine Resources For Businesses

Thursday, August 26, 2021

How to help employees receive a vaccine: Help employees find where to get vaccinated: They can receive them through the health care provider, at a pharmacy and others. The state offers a vaccine locator map to help employers and employees. Host an on-site vaccination: Just like hosting an on-site flu clinic, a vaccine provider or health care provider could help you vaccine employees on-site. Contact your health care provider or sign up through the Minnesota Department of Health. Read full article.

Lead for Minnesota Fellow, Patrick Garry, to address broadband access in Redwood County

Thursday, August 26, 2021

Lead For America, Land O’Lakes, Inc., the Mayo Clinic, Midwest Dairy and Scoular recently announced the placement of six American Connection Corps (ACC) Fellows in Minnesota, part of a group of 50 individuals placed in communities across the country. These Fellows will work to increase broadband access and digital literacy as well as contribute to critical community development initiatives in communities across Minnesota. Lead for Minnesota Fellow Patrick Garry was chosen for placement in Redwood County to work with the county EDA on broadband access throughout the county. Garry arrived in Redwood Falls on Aug. 9 to begin his work a...

Twin Cities & Western Railroad Company is on track to celebrate 30 years

Thursday, August 26, 2021

The Twin Cities & Western Railroad Company celebrates 30 years of service this month. From Aug. 27-29, the short-line railroad will offer a series of passenger excursion trains to thank its customers, employees and government leaders that have helped make it successful. The Twin Cities & Western Railroad Company’s rail line starts in the Twin Cities, running through Chanhassen and Chaska. The company’s ownership goes west to Appleton, 30 miles from the South Dakota border. When the short-line gets to St. Paul, its customers have the option to hand off their train cars to Canadian Pacific, BNSF Railway, Union Pacific and to ...

The End of Enhanced Unemployment Benefits: What You Need to Know

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

It’s safe to say we live in unprecedented times. A global pandemic, shocks to the supply chain, and myriad other disruptions make this a challenging time to be in business. The goal of The Future of Attracting and Retaining Workforce blog series from DEED’s Workforce Strategy Consultant team is to lay out information to help businesses overcome obstacles and find success. This first blog in our series will focus on enhanced unemployment benefits and what might happen next. What are enhanced unemployment benefits? There are three different federal enhanced unemployment benefits programs with very similar acronyms. One is Pandemic Unemployment compensation, o...

Twin Cities Startup Week Leans Into Arts and Culture

Monday, August 23, 2021

The word “startup” often brings to mind data scientists, engineers, and techies who are working on the next big disruption. Twin Cities Startup Week wants to broaden that perception to showcase innovation in all forms. This year, for the first time, the week-long September festival will put special emphasis on arts and culture. “We wanted to expand how we defined innovation and who can participate by extending invitations to those communities who didn’t feel included in the past,” said Casey Shultz, executive director of BETA, the local organization that produces TCSW. Billed as “one of the largest entrepreneurial festivals in th...

Minnesota Sees Largest Gain in Total Employment Since March

Thursday, August 19, 2021

St. Paul – Minnesota gained 14,500 jobs, up 0.5% in July on a seasonally adjusted basis, and the private sector gained 8,700 jobs, up 0.4%, according to numbers released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). These were the largest gains since March for total employment and the largest since May for private sector employment. Minnesota’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate ticked down one-tenth of a percentage point to 3.9% in July. This drop was due to people moving into jobs as well as a small decline in the state’s labor force participation, which also ticked down b...

Navigating Your Business Succession And Transition Planning

Thursday, August 19, 2021

ARE YOU LOOKING TO BETTER PREPARE YOUR COMPANY FOR OWNERSHIP TRANSITION NOW OR IN THE FUTURE? The August MN Supplier Match Roundtable helped businesses explore key issues around business succession and transition planning. Are you looking to better prepare your company for ownership transition now or in the future? Our succession and transition experts provided helpful hints in areas such as ESOP conversion, Cooperative (Co-op) business models, business valuation, family business succession plans and more. HOW TO FIND YOUR BUSINESS'S VALUATION AND LOCATE A BUYER "Obviously the seller's perception is, 'Hey, I worked my entire life in this business and it's worth mor...

5 Tips for Attracting the Best Job Candidates in Today's Labor Market

Tuesday, August 17, 2021

The landscape has changed dramatically for businesses accessing the labor market pool. Employers have to rethink how to approach prospective employees if they plan on meeting their hiring demands. Job shortages have created a frenzy where companies are scrambling to adopt a new approach to hiring new team members in pursuit of a different type of job engagement. Every day I coach companies that are desperate to find workers who can support their growing business. Many of these businesses have unfortunately had to turn business away, because they don’t have enough staff to support the influx of work. According to th...

7 Ways to Successfully Manage Managers

Saturday, August 14, 2021

Managing managers can be similar, in some ways, to managing a team — you need to align priorities, communicate goals, provide feedback and serve as a mentor. But the difference in managing managers is that you have to not only oversee their work, but make sure they’re effectively supporting their teams too. In addition to ensuring that managers are producing quality work, you’re setting clear expectations for what a successful manager looks like, observing their leadership within a team and offering direct feedback on their management skills. A successful manager is one who guides their team to perform well and develops the...

Chamber Announces COVID-19 Program To Help Employers Manage Employee Health And Safety

Friday, August 13, 2021

EMPLOYMENT GUIDANCE Minnesota Department of Economic Development resources for employers – Information on staffing, hours, unemployment insurance and assistance for small businesses. Coronavirus and unemployment insurance – Specific details on mandatory or voluntary quarantines, changes in hourly work or layoffs, and COVID-19 related costs. Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry's “worker protections” – A summary of FMLA, sick leave, unemployment insurance. Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry – Frequently asked questions for employers and employees related to COVID-19 Read full article.

The Visionary List: Meet The Women Over 50 Shaping The Future Of Science, Technology And Art

Thursday, August 12, 2021

In 2011, billionaire venture capitalist Vinod Khosla, then 56, told an audience in Bangalore that “people under 35 are the people who make change happen. People over 45 basically die in terms of new ideas.” Khosla defied his own stereotype when, six years later, he became a seed investor in Metawave, a radar company founded by then-54-year-old Maha Achour. The longtime entrepreneur and MIT-trained physicist is using advanced aerial imaging and technology to help self-driving cars operate smoothly through every weather condition. “Experience is everything,” she says of how her age has helped her start and grow her company. “I had t...

Infrastructure bill includes significant funding for Minnesota’s electric-vehicle charging network

Wednesday, August 11, 2021

With the recent Senate passage of a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, states are looking for what level of federal funding they might expect for their own projects. The Biden Administration released preliminary numbers last week, giving Minnesota a glimpse at projects it might be able to complete after final passage of the infrastructure package. Some big-ticket items were $4.5 billion for highways, $302 million for bridge repairs and $802 million to improve public transportation across the state. In addition to those funds, the White House said Minnesota can expect to receive $68 million over the span of five years to “suppor...

Join the Summer Fun at Our Favorite Redwood County Parks

Monday, July 26, 2021

It’s Park and Recreation Month - the perfect time to get outside and enjoy all that the Redwood Area has to offer! From ballgames to camping, the fun is at an all-time high during summers in Redwood County! We have hiking, camping, fishing, frisbee-golf, skating, zoos and more to keep families entertained throughout the summer and year-round. Our community is an incredible place for families and outdoor adventurers. Four Outdoor Recreation Spots in Redwood County There are so many fun things to do in Redwood County that it’s difficult to narrow it down to a short list. Still, here are our favorit...