A Look back at the Redwood Area Development Corporation’s 2022 Accomplishments, and at What’s Ahead in 2023
Since it was created in 1986, the Redwood Area Development Corporation (RADC) has been here to assist the Redwood Area. This integral community partner serves businesses, non-profits, and residents with offerings that include grant, non-profit and business services, economic development resources, and administrative services. RADC is the administrator of Minnesota Valley Regional Rail Authority, Redwood Area Communities Foundation, Renville County HRA, Renville County Homeogtwnership Program, Renville County Blight Removal Grant, and Redwood County Collaborative.
Meet the RADC Staff
Pat Dingels, Executive Director of the RADC, ha...
The Lower Sioux Indian Community is using hempcrete to create sustainable, low-cost housing. Earl Pendleton, Vice President of the Lower Sioux Indian Community Tribal Council, explained what hempcrete is and how it began being used.
“Hempcrete was rediscovered in the mid-1980s in France by testing the materials in a 1,500+-year-old bridge that was amazingly still in use and in great shape. The abutment holding the stones was a mixture of hemp and lime,” explained Pendleton.
“I came across the story 12 years ago while researching the environmental benefits of growing hemp, and it's ‘claimed’ 20,000+ uses for the three main parts o...
Longtime Administrator Julie Rath Retiring in 2023; McKenzie Fischer Will Be New MVRRA Administrator
After nearly 20 years with the Minnesota Valley Regional Rail Authority (MVRRA), Julie Rath, Administrator, is retiring. McKenzie Fischer will be taking over Rath’s role in 2023. Rath, who started working for MVRRA in December 2003, shared some of the changes and improvements at MVRRA during her time as administrator.
One of Rath’s many accomplishments was to modernize the MVRRA administration functions. As Rath explained, “back in 2003, MVRRA did all of their bookkeeping by hand, and we started doing all their record-keeping using Quickbooks. As their administrator...
There are few subjects about which more ink has been spilled in the last three years than the state of the U.S. workforce. From the impact of business shutdowns and enhanced unemployment benefits on labor participation, to pent-up challenges bringing critical supply chain workers to the verge of major strikes, and the more recent “quiet quitting” trend impacting even the most progressive office environments — HR and executive teams tasked with selecting new company locations are faced with more complexity than ever before. Even in the face of such fast-changing dynamics, growing companies must still plan for a stable workforce...
Mexico has been a growing leader in the automotive manufacturing industry for decades with companies from Japan, the U.S. and Germany frequently seeking out the low-cost yet highly capable workforce. In 2012 the country ranked as the 10th largest automotive producer in the world and in 2021 pushed out South Korea and claimed sixth place. But the Mexican National Institute of Statistics and Geography reported that in 2021 automotive production dropped by 20.25% across the country, and auto exports fell by 16.46%. The institute further reported that GM and Nissan were hit hard, with GM Mexico’s production falling by 43.7...
In advance of the upcoming Veterans Day holiday, Redwood County announces that county buildings will be illuminated green Nov. 7-13 as part of Operation Green Light, a new national collaborative initiative of the National Association of Counties (NACo) to support military veterans, as well as raise awareness about the unique challenges faced by many veterans and the resources that are available at the county, state, and federal level to assist veterans and their families.
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Your EDO needs a fresh online presence. You chose a creative agency. You send out an RFP. On the surface, this makes sense. If you want competitive bids, you need to solicit them. However, there are easier ways to get more information and better results.
8 Reasons RFPs (Requests for Proposals) Can Be a “Routinely Flawed Process”
#1 RFPs Tend to Be Boilerplate
If your economic development organization is like most, everyone on your team is busy and has to wear many hats. You may be inclined to use an RFP template because you don’t have time to reinvent the wheel. However, tha...
With engineering and construction making up more than 11 percent of global domestic product, there is a growing focus on how the building industry conducts business. What started as a movement among institutional investors and their financial partners has expanded across almost all sectors, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations now impact many real estate decisions and capital project planning. Consumer behavior is partly responsible for the change. So is the fact that investors and lenders increasingly view a company’s ESG policies as indicative of how that company is positioning itself for success in the marketplace.
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Apple, Google, and other companies mandating that employees work in the office for most or all of their time claim that any time spent working remotely stifles innovation. According to Apple CEO Tim Cook, "Innovation isn't always a planned activity. It's bumping into each other over the course of the day and advancing an idea that you just had. And you really need to be together to do that."
Yet is this true? On the one hand, research at MIT found that remote work weakens the cross-functional, inter-team "weak ties" that form the basis for the exchange of new ideas tha...
Celebrate Redwood Falls had a successful opening night of their Halloween Francios Haunted Hotel event in Downtown Redwood Falls on Saturday, Oct. 22. If you missed the chance to attend opening night, Francios Haunted Hotel will open Friday, Oct. 28, Saturday, Oct. 29 and Monday, Oct. 31 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., with a $15 admission fee. Francios Haunted Hotel is located at the corner of 2nd and Washington street. This event is not recommended for anyone under the age of 13.
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Trade schools and technical colleges offer essential education and training for a wide variety of skilled jobs. Providing pathways for job opportunities not served by traditional four-year colleges - at significantly lower cost and in a shorter time frame - these schools are a critical part of developing a diverse workforce across pretty much every industry. GIS Planning is thrilled to now offer trade and technical school data in the talent report in US ZoomProspector applications. Click here to view it live for Metro Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta on the Georgia Department of Economic Development website.
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The first true digital-native generation is in and entering the workforce, coming off a lengthy period of remote work thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Has America lost the will to work, or have organizations lost the will to connect with talent? Today's business leaders are faced with new labor market challenges requiring better efficiencies in onboarding techniques to quickly establish competencies and retention techniques that can keep skilled labor engaged and committed. The data suggest that in today's business environment, no industry is safe from the extraordinarily expensive problems of talent turnover.
Voluntary turnover rates (employees leaving without being fired or laid off) are predicted to jump nearly 20% in 2022. At a macro level, it might be easy to attribute these numbers to th...
[ST. PAUL, MN] – Today, Governor Tim Walz and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Commissioner Steve Grove announced they secured nearly $100 million in new funding to support small businesses through the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI).
The federal government has approved Minnesota for up to $97 million in small business financing support, which allows DEED to carry out its commitment to helping small businesses grow and succeed. Minnesota will receive funds in three disbursements over several years; the initial disbursement from the U.S. Treasury is approximately $29.5 million.
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St. Paul – Minnesota gained 4,200 jobs in September, up 0.1%, according to numbers released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Minnesota's September unemployment rate remains historically low at 2%, one-tenth of a point higher than August and 1.5 points better than the national rate of 3.5%. Minnesota's labor force participation rate ticked down one-tenth of point to 68.1%, compared to the national rate of 62.3%.
Minnesota's job growth in September follows the addition of 1,200 jobs (revised up from a loss of 3,100) in August. Minnesota's private sector gained 8,500 jobs in September, up 0.3%...
St. Paul – A new report from the Labor Market Information Office in the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) takes a closer look at the short-term pandemic and long-term demographic impacts on labor force participation.
Increasing labor force participation could help ease hiring challenges resulting from our historically tight labor market, where there are roughly four job openings for every person looking for work. Tight labor markets typically increase labor force participation, and labor force participation has been steadily increasing in Minnesota since its low during the depths of the pandemic.
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Ken Chenault, Chairman and Managing Director, General Catalyst and Penny Pritzker, Founder and Chairman, PSP Partners; Former U.S. Secretary of Commerce share their insights on the economic and business outlook for 2023, and share where they’re placing bets now.
Read here for the full article.
Goal setting is one of those things that seems like it would be fundamental to success. If you’ve read any books or articles about getting ahead in your career or life, you’ve probably come across tips on setting goals (like SMART goal setting) so that you can successfully meet them.
But setting goals may not be as relevant anymore, and there may be better alternatives to managing your career–and your life.
Read the full article here.
The path to success as an entrepreneur can take many different forms, and no matter what path you choose, difficulties will always exist. It's easy to become a bit of a skeptic when it comes to doing business. The truth is, it's not easy — and it's not for everyone. It takes hard work and determination to succeed, no matter how cliché it sounds.
You also have to recognize challenges as bottlenecks — not as signs of failure, but as obstacles to be overcome. To prepare yourself for any difficulties you might encounter along your entrepreneurial journey, here are some o...
Job seekers and employees alike expect so much more from their workplaces. Increasingly, culture, flexibility and values trump retirement plans, health benefits and expense accounts in a competitive job marketplace.
Job seekers are no longer simply looking for a job. They’re looking for a professional home that feels welcoming and often finding that right fit requires more sophistication, individualized search options.
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St. Paul – Today, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced a request for proposals (RFP) for the Minnesota Forward Tech Training Program. The RFP seeks applications from Minnesota organizations to deliver work readiness services, career and education navigation, occupational skills training, support services, and placement in information technology (IT) career-path employment. Organizations that receive a grant will train Minnesotans ages 18 and older from low-income communities or people of color in technology career pathways and place them in permanent employment at a family-sustaining wage.
“These grants will support critical efforts to engage Minnesotans from various communities i...
“It’s an underappreciated industry.”
That’s the basic observation of Dennis Donovan, principal with Wadley Donovan Gutshaw Consulting, of Bridgewater, N.J., when he was asked about the importance of, the health of and the potential of the metal fabrication industry.
A look at the breadth of the sectors it serves gives some insight into why Donovan offered that description. While it may not always garner the glitz of other more frontline sectors like headquarters locations, tourism or digital media, consider the integral connection metal fabrication provides to such industries as defense, transportation equipment, energy, furniture and medical equipment.
Read here for the full article.
St. Paul - Today, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) released a Request for Proposals for its new Pilot Re-Entry Competitive Grant Program. Approved by the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Board (MJSP), $3,000,000 is available in Fiscal Years 2023-2024 to help reintegrate justice-involved Minnesotans into the workforce. Potential grantee organizations may request up to $500,000 to provide participants with:
One-on-one career counseling/case management through a dedicated Navigator
Job search assistance
Skills training, including on-the-job training
And wrap-around support services working closely with a Navigator
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Organized in 1962, Audacia Study Club currently has 16 members who have dedicated their time tending to the flowerpots displayed around downtown Redwood Falls. With the 13 new planters purchased in 2021, the club plants blooming flowers each spring to help beautify the downtown area.
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There are many reasons to consider a career in Manufacturing – and October is the perfect time to explore your options because October is Manufacturing Month in Minnesota!
Manufacturing jobs pay well. In fact, average annual wages for workers in Manufacturing in Minnesota are $74,630, 10% higher than across all industries in Minnesota. Plus, many Manufacturing positions offer opportunities for advancement on a promising career path.
Read here for the full article.
Over half of Shult Homes' plant employees volunteered Thursday, Sept. 23 to make improvements at the Redwood County Fairgrounds ahead of their 150th anniversary. Schult employees pictured working on placing dressing rooms and bathrooms with showers for the bands in the southeast building next to the stage. Ava Lund
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Over half of Shult Homes' plant employees volunteered Thursday, Sept. 23 to make improvements at the Redwood County Fairgrounds ahead of their 150th anniversary. Schult employees pictured working on placing dressing rooms and bathrooms with showers for the bands in the southeast building next to the stage. Ava Lund
Click here to read the full article.
St. Paul – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) awarded $2,131,262 million in grants to five projects in the August round of the Redevelopment Grant Program. This program helps communities with the costs of redeveloping blighted industrial, residential or commercial sites and putting land back into productive use.
Read the full article here.
Doing the right thing is good for business
The consciousness of sustainable practices and products has risen dramatically in the last few decades. Whether it be shifting generational expectations, the climate crisis, or other motivating factors, consumers value brands that prioritize sustainability. A quick look at the numbers: When given a choice, 32% of millennials will choose a sustainable option over a non-sustainable one, and 47% of companies said sustainability had an impact on their recruiting and retention. And investors understand it, too: 90% of investors said they pay attention to how sustainable a business is.
Read the full article here.
Maintaining and developing a skilled workforce capable of meeting the needs of your manufacturing company is an ongoing task. Recruiting, hiring and training those necessary individuals is more complicated than ever in today’s economic environment. Hosting a Manufacturing Day Event may be the perfect method to increase your ability to find the workforce you need!
This year, National Manufacturing Day is October 7 and is the ideal opportunity to educate the future workforce on the realities of modern careers in their facilities.
Read here for the full article.
By helping build resilient workforces and retain quality talent through personnel disruptions, caregiver-friendly workplaces are more competitive and successful. Employees are looking for employers that understand the need for work-life balance and the need for flexibility to address family issues. Employers that embrace caregiving-friendly strategies and solutions will be able to recruit and retain top-quality talent.
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A few years ago, running into colleagues on their way to the break room was a mundane workplace happenstance. Now, plenty of employees—and their supervisors—long for those kinds of casual meetings. Telecommuting from home is a lot more isolating than working in the office. And when people aren’t regularly interacting, collaboration decreases.
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Finding quality workers has become a common concern for employers across the country. In northwest Minnesota, that scarcity is growing and is one of the most significant barriers to future economic growth. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) estimates a 1.2% loss in workforce numbers by 2030 as more of the Baby Boom generation leaves the labor force.
In response to that need, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development has committed $13.5 million to a Pathways to Prosperity (P2P) grantee program to provide clear career pathways to Minnesotans with systemic barriers to employment. The program emphasize...
[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz announced today that exports of manufactured, agricultural, and mining goods from Minnesota were valued at $6.7 billion in the second quarter of 2022, reaching the highest level on record. Minnesota exports grew 12 percent between the second quarters of 2021 and 2022.
"Minnesota's workers and businesses are fueling, feeding, and supporting the global economy," said Governor Walz. "Our record-breaking exports demonstrate that the world recognizes the value of doing business in Minnesota. We will continue building partnerships abroad that allow our local economies to thrive."
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A new agreement will enable St. Paul-based Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union to provide small business loans across the country.
On Wednesday, Affinity said it will team up with Denver-based online lending platform Funding Circle to provide credit to small businesses anywhere in the United States. As part of their agreement, Affinity will purchase loans originated through Funding Circle.
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Minnesota’s economy showed mixed signals in the first half of 2022, with some indicators demonstrating continued economic stability and others showing signs of cooling. Read more here, as we break down key economic indicators at the mid-year point of 2022.
Highlights:
Minnesota’s real GDP contracted by -2.0% in the first quarter of 2022 after experiencing six consecutive quarters of growth. Real GDP declined in 46 of 50 states in the first quarter, with U.S. real GDP falling by -1.6%. Minnesota GDP remains 1.0% above pre-pandemic peak levels, ranking 24th best among all states.
Minnesota exports grew by 13% in the first quarter o...
Higher education has long been a field of constant change. In the past few years, the rate of change has accelerated with the pandemic as the driver. The pivot to virtual courses was just the tip of the iceberg. For many schools, this wasn’t a huge change—they’d been offering online learning for years, and they had online platforms like Canvas and Panopto in place that could accommodate a broader shift.
But the pandemic also disrupted the market that higher ed institutions primarily serve: employees, both current and future. Even with coronavirus infection rates generally in decline, Minnesota employers are having t...
Lack of summer rain forced Nebraska farmer Kevin Fulton to go underground to find water for his crops. Not a perfect solution: the Ogallala Aquifer, where Fulton tapped in, has pumping restrictions in some areas, just not where Fulton is located. That’s because the aquifer is running dry.
As drought extends its deadly fingers from California to the eastern side of the Mississippi River — a vast stretch of the continent that produces most of America’s food, including three-quarters of its beef cattle and 70% of its vegetables, fruits and nuts — farmers and ranchers are facing a double whammy. The...
Minnesota’s economy showed mixed signals in the first half of 2022. Continued inflation, hiring challenges, a cooldown in GDP output, and uncertainty in consumer spending has negatively impacted business confidence and expectations for the coming year. On the other hand, Minnesota continued to recover job losses, increase labor force participation, reach record low unemployment levels, grow state exports, and maintain elevated business formation levels so far this year.
While uncertainty and signs of cooling in the economy cloud the near-term outlook, Minnesota’s overall economic performance has remained relatively steady at the mid-year point.
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St. Paul – September is Workforce Development Month, a time to honor workforce development leaders and staff across Minnesota, as well as draw attention to the resources available to those looking for work and to employers who need workers. In Minnesota, the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and its business and nonprofit partners throughout the state are working hard to connect all Minnesotans who need work with employment and to help employers reach often overlooked labor pools.
"At DEED we are laser-focused on connecting people who need work with the employers who need them," said DEED Commissioner Steve Grove...
The Centennial Redwood Falls Golf Club Championship is being held August 27 and August 28
The Redwood Falls Golf Club celebrates 100 years this August. To celebrate there will be a Centennial Redwood Falls Golf Club Championship on August 27 and August 28.
The golf club began in 1922 as a 9-hole course. Twenty-two years ago the course was expanded to 18 holes. General Manager Ryan Fernelius explained this update was not an easy one to make. Fernelius said, “Albeit a somewhat controversial change back in 2000, it has really helped the club grow and expand out to people who would neve...
As it was making its way through Congress, I wrote a piece on the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) that showed economic benefits from economists, policy experts and small business advocates. Last week, the Senate passed the IRA and on Friday, the House of Representatives passed it, sending it to President Joe Biden for his signature. The president will likely sign this bill into law later this week. This landmark legislation will help small businesses and working Americans by investing in deficit reduction to fight inflation, increasing manufacturing, lowering drug prices, and leveling the playing field by creating a modest minimu...
A company hoping to capture the attention of Gen Z and millennial consumers today can't ignore its corporate social responsibility (CSR) program — that synthesis of tenets like accountability, sustainability and philanthropy, which build up a brand's reputation and, ideally, make the planet a better place. And it's not just consumers who want to put their money towards positive change: Research shows that 70% of investors want to invest in companies with values that align with their own.
Recently, the Covid-19 pandemic thrust CSR efforts into the spotlight, as many consumers wanted their brands of choice to step up during th...
Cindy’s Country Garden Cindy Grams, ‘The Pickle Lady’, specializes in a large variety of pickles, produce and canned foods. Gram’s pickle recipe took 17 years to perfect.
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The Redwood Area Concert Association is pleased to announce its Concert Series schedule for the 2022–23 season and the start of membership sales as of Aug. 1.
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The past 2 years have shown that relying on a single raw materials source is a recipe for disrupted supply chains and an inability to meet customer demand. A robust supply chain is achieved not only by diversity, but also reliability and resilience. An effective procurement and supply chain organization should be one that brings value to the overall organization, which is accomplished by having the right strategic and tactical approach.
We’ve outlined three actionable tips that can be used to consider how to build a more diverse and robust supply chain.
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It’s an anomalous time in the tourism industry.
On one hand, the leisure market has picked up to a point that the numbers are just about back to where they were pre-COVID-19, despite the surge of a new strain of the virus surging in recent months. That’s because travelers have wanted to get back in the swing, as recent numbers from AAA illustrate.
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After two grueling pandemic years, a weary world rang in a tumultuous 2022. With rapid inflation, stock market volatility, and the global ripples caused by an excruciating war in Europe, the only certainty seems to be uncertainty. The current housing market is compounding those challenges in the United States. Thanks to pandemic shutdowns, labor shortages, and supply chain issues, housing inventory at the end of 2021 was already low. With a shortage of approximately 1.5 million homes, there is less inventory to rent or buy than there has been at any time in the past 30 years.
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Phew, the labor market crisis is over! Jobs are growing but the rapid pace of hiring has slowed and people who were reluctant to work due to COVID are returning to the labor force. It sure seems like the labor crisis was a COVID issue, so we can all go back to business as usual. Back to normal.
Not so fast! While the jobs report is better than had been anticipated, there are still signs of stress and volatility in the workforce as well as long term structural challenges. Companies still indicate they cannot get the workers and skills they need...
It really does pay to change jobs. During the second year of the pandemic, according to a new Pew Research Center analysis, half of workers who changed jobs saw their pay increase nearly 10%. The median worker who stayed put saw an inflation-adjusted loss of almost 2%.
It’s long been thought that changing companies leads to bigger bumps in pay than asking for a raise from the same employer. Now, a new analysis of government data confirms that conventional wisdom—but appears to suggest a growing gap in the fortunes of those who stay put versus those who switch jobs, as hig...
Whether you’ve been implementing growth marketing for a while or are new to the practice, you want to succeed. No one likes to miss a goal post. In business, the stakes are high. Not meeting your targets could lead to disappointed stakeholders, future resignations and financial losses. But to achieve success with growth marketing, you must be willing to learn from failure.
Unlike traditional marketing, there’s some experimentation involved. Growth marketers approach their strategies and tactics like scientists. Data and observation fuel a hypothesis, which gets tested to determine what holds water and what doesn’t. Nevertheless, growth marketing does offer tried-and-tru...
Despite the hot, humid conditions, locals turned out in good numbers each night of the Redwood County Fair which wrapped up Sunday in Redwood Falls. Kids were able to enjoy the rides which illuminated the night sky.
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The unemployment rate ticked down two-tenths of a point to 1.8% in June 2022 – yet another record low since the metric has been tracked in 1976, according to numbers released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The lowest pre-pandemic unemployment rate was 2.5% in early 1999.
The unemployment rate decline over the month was entirely due to people moving from unemployment to employment. The labor force participation rate ticked up another tenth of a point to 68.5%.
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The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) launched the latest round of Child Care Economic Development Grants. These grants authorize $4.85 million over two fiscal years for grants to community partners to increase quality child care providers to support economic development across Minnesota. A total of $2.425 million will be available in this second round of funding; $2.425 million was awarded previously to 14 projects.
DEED is seeking proposals from local governments or nonprofits with experience in the operations, financing, advocacy, or advancement of the delivery of child care services. Qualified parties may request up to $300,000 in stat...
Prices are rising (8.6%, to be exact). This isn’t news. We see it at the grocery store, car dealership, and especially at the pump.
But thanks to a mix of slowed business growth and rising labor costs, we’re starting to see something new. Companies like Tesla, Netflix, Wells Fargo, and Carvana are facing hiring freezes and layoffs. Banks and economists have begun sounding the alarm about a looming recession.
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Nonprofits and small municipalities often rely on grant funding to accomplish their missions and keep up with important infrastructure and public works projects. Since 1990, the Redwood Area Development Corporation (RADC) has offered grant writing services to area towns and nonprofits. Services are tailored to each client and their specific needs.
"Our approach is that the entity is the expert in the subject matter, and we’re providing expertise to help them be successful with the grant application process."
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