News & Events

Redwood Area Development Corporation Celebrates National Homeownership Month During June

Tuesday, June 15, 2021

Redwood Area Development Corporation celebrates National Homeownership Month during June by raising awareness about the benefits that homeownership brings to families, neighborhoods, and communities alike. The real estate market is thriving, and RADC member businesses are striving to make homeownership a reality for individuals who dream of owning their own home. Learn more about why homeownership matters and how you can find connections to help you become a homeowner too. Why Homeownership Matters Owning a home is a cornerstone of the “American Dream”. With homeownership, comes a sense of pride, financial stability, and equity. Many homeowners benefit from tax deductions and affordable monthl...

A Turnkey Approach to Manufacturing Location Decisions

Monday, June 14, 2021

When scouting locations for a retailer, an experienced real estate team knows precisely what to look for: sites that have high visibility, easy accessibility, and close proximity to a population base and competing stores. By comparing options that meet this small handful of criteria, the final selection can be relatively simple. Compare that to locating a new manufacturing facility. As many as 70 or more different variables can influence site selection — from infrastructure, logistical, and incentive considerations to permitting requirements, staffing needs, and community acceptance concerns. Site selection models for these facilities, therefore, can be notoriously complex. The strengths o...

In Focus: The Effects of the Pandemic on Industrial Design

Wednesday, June 09, 2021

The Covid-19 pandemic has affected every facet of our economy, increasing a cultural reliance on e-commerce that is here to stay. Retailers have responded by minimizing square footage of brick-and-mortar store fronts, keeping less inventory on site, and focusing more on entertainment and experiential retail to keep shoppers engaged. As a result, the need for warehousing and industrial space has exploded, driving the desire for large-scale, innovative facilities that maximize efficiency and logistical operations. The literal driving force behind the industrial surge is the expansion of transportation capabilities worldwide, with international trade becoming the engine of the global economy. Goods ar...

Digital Disruption: Designing A Security Strategy For An Era Of Uncertainty

Tuesday, June 01, 2021

2020 will be seen as one of the most consequential years in any security professional’s career. For many, there will be a bright line dividing how things were before the pandemic from how they are now. A Splunk global survey of 535 security leaders found that the next great security challenge is cloud complexity—including shifts in workloads, new software development models, remote work and heterogeneous public cloud usage. To help leaders tackle these obstacles, Splunk offers a step-by-step guide. Read full article.

Front Line: Infrastructure Upgrades Vital to U.S. Economy

Monday, May 31, 2021

One of President Joe Biden’s first acts was to announce a $2.3 trillion bill to repair and upgrade the nation’s infrastructure. The bill addresses what has become a perennial topic of debate in Congress, and one that has repeatedly been set aside for action at some future date. It has been well-documented across the United States that years of neglect have resulted in roads and bridges in dire need of repair, outdated public transportation, subpar Internet service, and other critical infrastructure needs. In its most recent report card on the condition of America’s infrastructure, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE...

How Marketing Agencies Can Integrate Inclusivity Into Their Organization and Work

Friday, May 28, 2021

While inclusion and diversity have always been essential, they have become even more essential for marketers due to the industry's current pandemic and cultural climate. Simply put, we're dealing with two huge issues right now: a people crisis and an economic issue. By putting our efforts into inclusion, equity and diversity, we can provide a powerful solution to both problems we're facing. However, it's not as simple as changing a few policies and calling it a day. Instead, organizations need to work to expand these efforts to include the challenges of working during a pandemic. We are at a pivotal point where advertising...

More than Simple Supply and Demand

Wednesday, May 26, 2021

The pandemic has upended the labor market in unprecedented ways and it will take some time for the disruption to be resolved. Our new article examines employer challenges in finding workers during pandemic recovery and offers some ideas for new steps employers can take now to find the workers they need. In our work as DEED’s Labor Market Analyst and Workforce Strategy Consultant for Northeast Minnesota, we’ve heard from many employers who aren’t receiving the same number and quality of applications they were receiving prior to the pandemic. This is happening as many employers are hoping to hire more employees t...

Employment Guidance

Monday, May 24, 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 Minnesota Council – Society of Human Resource Management (MNSHRM) – Resources for HR professionals (login required). U.S. Department of Labor guide to FMLA in public health emergencies U.S. Department of Labo...

COVID-19 Business Toolkit

Saturday, May 22, 2021

May 21, 2021 This toolkit will continue to be updated as new information and resources become available. Please continue to check back for updates. On May 6, Governor Walz announced new reopening measures for businesses and the lifting of other restrictions. Per MPR, the phased reopening includes the following date- or metric-specific changes: May 7: The state removes limits for outdoor dining and events. It ends the mask order outdoors except at venues with more than 500 people. Pandemic-related closing times for bars, restaurants and other gathering spaces are lifted. May 28: Any remaining outdoor limits and indoor activity restrictions will end. Read full article.

Minnesota’s Unemployment Rate Ticks Down to 4.1% in April

Friday, May 21, 2021

St. Paul – Minnesota’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate ticked down to 4.1% in April, from 4.2% in March, according to numbers released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The unemployment rate decline was due to people moving from unemployment to employment. The U.S. unemployment rate rose one-tenth to 6.1% in April. For the fourth straight month, Minnesota gained jobs. Minnesota gained 11,300 jobs in April on a seasonally adjusted basis, up 0.4%, following growth of 20,400 (adjusted) jobs in March, 12,400 jobs in February and 51,600 jobs in January. Minnesota’s private sector gained 8,100 jobs o...

Minnesota Has Added More Than 95,000 Jobs in 2021

Thursday, May 20, 2021

Minnesota added 11,300 new jobs in April, the fourth straight month that the state has posted job gains. Data from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) shows that the state has now added 95,700 jobs over the last four months. More than half of those jobs were added in January when DEED reported 51,600 new jobs. The latest numbers bring the state’s unemployment rate down to 4.1 percent, a small decline from the 4.2 percent rate last month. Minnesota lost 416,300 jobs from February to April 2020 when the pandemic first hit. Since then, the state has regained 235,30...

Reemployment After COVID-19 Layoffs in Minnesota

Wednesday, May 19, 2021

St. Paul – A new study released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) presents early findings about Minnesota workers who were laid off during March through June of 2020 and the most up-to-date information we have about their employment status. The study by DEED Labor Market Information (LMI) Office analyst Alessia Leibert will be featured in the June issue of Minnesota Economic Trends, a quarterly publication of DEED’s LMI office. Specifically, the study considers: How many and which workers were brought back to jobs at their old employer; Those who continued to work second jobs; Those who found ne...

Minnesota Exports at $5.4 Billion in First Quarter

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

St. Paul – Sales of agriculture, mining and manufacturing exports from Minnesota dipped 4% between the first quarters of 2020 and 2021, falling to $5.4 billion, according to a report released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). U.S. exports rose year over year by 2% during the same period. Minnesota exports grew 6% in March 2021 over March 2020, interrupting persistent monthly declines since March 2020. “It’s a positive sign to see our exports increasing in March, a trend we hope continues in the coming months as our economy recovers,” said DEED Commissioner Steve Grove. “DEED’...

Business Education Network: Five Years of Transforming Tomorrow's Workforce

Thursday, May 13, 2021

The Center for Workforce Solutions is the first-of-its kind in Minnesota, a business-led initiative to ensure employers and employees possess the necessary tools for jobs of the future. One of three priority areas for the Minnesota Chamber Foundation, it is complimented by our leadership programs, and the Center for Economic Research, which issued its first major report, Minnesota: 2030 in the spring of 2021. One of the major strategy recommendations of Minnesota: 2030 is leveraging Minnesotans – stressing the foundational imperatives to grow our workforce and help individuals develop the skills they need to succeed in the 21st century economy. Th...

Life Sciences Fueling Construction Demand

Tuesday, May 11, 2021

industry is one of the few whose prospects have changed for the better. Called upon to rapidly develop and distribute an all-important COVID-19 vaccine without sacrificing the research and production of existing drugs, the biotech industry is expanding at breakneck speed. Currently, around 13.9 million square feet of life sciences research and manufacturing space is under construction in key markets. In the United States, lab space vacancies have dropped to 7.1 percent, while commercial properties are being converted into R&D facilities on a massive scale. This biotech boom is providing a vital lifeline to the construction industry. Due to the impact COVID-19 has had on variou...

Mitigate the Risks of Supply Chain Disruption

Monday, May 10, 2021

If the recent pandemic has taught business leaders anything, it’s that solid readiness planning through diversification and data analysis can reduce the impact when a crisis hits. Nearly half of operations leaders surveyed in the recent PwC US Pulse Survey indicated that reducing supply chain disruptions is “very important.” But few companies are ready to make the costly move of reshoring or nearshoring, even though a recent executive order put an emphasis on the potential upsides of moving supply chains to — or closer to — the United States or allied countries. Recent changes to multinational trade agreements also further complicate supply chain...

First Person: Engaging the Workforce with Empathetic Leadership

Friday, May 07, 2021

Area Development’s staff editor Mark Crawford recently asked Ericsson’s Dan Kerber, vice president of digital services business operations for North America — who helps companies improve their financial and operational metrics through improved resource management processes — about his thoughts on leadership, especially the need for “soft skills” during the COVID-19 pandemic. Area Development: What are the most important soft skills needed for leadership today? Dan Kerber: There are many important soft skills, but the three I have found most important are communication, giving effective feedback, and empathy. Good communication skills are essential for conveying information, decisions, and your thought processes to your team...

USA Opportunity Zones

Friday, May 07, 2021

Overview More than 8,700 opportunity zones have been designated across the United States, established as part of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and are intended to foster long-term private sector investments in low-income communities. We can now begin to show the intersection of EDA's public investments and activities (more information will be added) near or within these zones. An initial assessment on the impact of these zones is available in this August 2020 report from the Council of Economic Advisors. What are Opportunity Zones? Qualified opportunity zones were created by the federal 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and designed to spu...

Customer Experience Can Be Data Driven—Here’s How

Tuesday, May 04, 2021

In the digital age, customer experience is king. In the past, delivering a poor experience meant, at worst, getting a negative review or being lambasted on social media. Those things still happen, of course, but increasingly companies are watching their revenue dwindle as more customer-centric competitors rise to take their place. Today, two-thirds of companies compete on customer experience alone (compared to 36 percent in 2010). Delivering a seamless, paperless and broker-free CX is how insurance app Lemonade grew from a promising startup to a publicly traded company worth billions. The simple goal of bringing humanity back to air travel is how JetBlue becam...

Build Sustainability Around Your People, Not Just Your Office

Monday, May 03, 2021

When the pandemic hit, many organizations switched to full-time remote work and almost immediately there were some unexpected benefits seen around the globe. The lack of commute meant fewer cars on the road, and almost zero business travel meant fewer airplanes in the skies, resulting in cleaner air and far fewer emissions in our atmosphere. As a result, many of us, myself included, started to think more about how we could make not just sweeping changes within our organization to maintain a greener world, but also small yet impactful changes at our homes during our time in quarantine. Looking at our wall of K-Cups...

The Top 5 Habits of Peak Performing Entrepreneurs

Monday, May 03, 2021

The world is abundant with many accomplished entrepreneurs, but not all achieve advanced levels of achievement. So, what sets individuals who reach their professional summit apart from those who get stuck in the land of mainstream success? When you look at professionals thriving within their enterprises, you will find certain similarities. They are the individuals with clarity, routines, boundaries and the right mindset to become the leaders we admire. They are the ones who work smarter, not harder. If you want to grow as an entrepreneur, and reach the top of your game, then here are five proven high-performance habits you can incorporate into you...

DEED Awarded $19.5 Million Grant to Keep Ill, Injured Workers in the Workfor

Friday, April 30, 2021

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) was awarded a Retaining Employment and Talent After Injury/Illness Network (RETAIN) Phase II grant from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) this week. Minnesota was one of five states to receive such a grant. The four-year $19,518,509 grant through DOL’s Office of Disability Employment Programs (ODEP) will fund MN RETAIN, which helps employees stay at or return to work more rapidly when an injury or illness impacts their ability to work. Its goal is to help keep 3,200 Minnesotans connected to the workforce over the next four years. This phase of M...

Women Over 50 Spearheading The Covid Vaccine Rollout

Thursday, April 29, 2021

The United States has officially distributed more than 200 million Covid vaccines; globally, more than a billion doses have been administered. While there is still a long way to go until the American population is inoculated to the point of achieving herd immunity—and an even longer way to go to reach that benchmark globally—the pace of the progress thus far has been a testament to the power of science, innovation and human determination. It’s also been a testament to the power of women, and particularly women over the age of 50. For the last 14 months, women have been on the front lines o...

5 Key Steps To Building A Better Industrial World

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

In human and economic costs, 2020 was a year without modern precedent. Yet even as the world wrestled with Covid-19 and its consequences, industry stubbornly marched forward—and, finally, into recovery. We may never “return to normal,” but that doesn’t mean we can’t get back to the business of doing business. For many, recovery is an opportunity to accelerate digital transformation efforts and to actualize years of planned technological advancement in a matter of months. In fact, according to a 2020 Forbes Insights survey, 80% of CEOs said Covid-19 accelerated the digitalization of their operations, and 64% said the pandemic accelerated th...

5 Tax Breaks For Parents That Can Make A Big Difference

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Raising a child is pricey—to the tune of almost a quarter of a million dollars over the first 18 years, according to the USDA’s most recent figures. Luckily, the IRS provides some tax breaks to help families with these enormous costs. In 2019, a family qualified for an average tax credit of up to $4,879 for the earned income tax credit (EITC) and child tax credit (CTC) alone, according to data from the IRS and the Tax Foundation. A tax credit not only helps reduce the amount of money you owe taxes on, but some tax credits help generate a tax refund. If you are ...

Recovery Reality: Jobs And Reimagining Our Future

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Covid-19 Funding – Loans And Grants

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Registration for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund will begin Friday at 8 a.m. and the application period will start on Monday, May 3 at 11 a.m. CT. The online application will remain open to any eligible establishment until all funds are exhausted. SBA recommends qualifying applicants prepare by: Registering for an account at restaurants.sba.gov starting on Friday at 8 a.m. CT. Reviewing the official guidance, including program guide, frequently asked questions and application sample by clicking here. The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant reopens at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 26. Here's what you need to know: Register in the portal in advance: https://www.svograntportal.sba.gov/s/ Use the checklist to make sure you have everything you need to complete your application: https://www.sba.gov/document/support-shuttered-venue-operators-grant-application-checklist Revie...

10 Things Economic Developers Must Know About Opportunity Zones

Tuesday, April 20, 2021

Ten things economic developers must know about Opportunity Zones include what an Opportunity Zone is, how many there are, your role in attracting investors to your community, and more. Let's walk through them. 10 THINGS ECONOMIC DEVELOPERS MUST KNOW ABOUT OPPORTUNITY ZONES 1. What exactly is an opportunity zone? According to the U.S. Economic Development Agency, "an Opportunity Zone is an economically-distressed community where private investments, under certain conditions, may be eligible for capital gain tax incentives." Residents who live in areas designated as Opportunity Zones tend to suffer from unequal economic growth and access to capital. Opportunity Zones are designed to spur economi...

35th Annual Corporate Survey: Effects of Global Pandemic Reflected in Executives’ Site and Facility Plans

Wednesday, April 14, 2021

The challenges faced in 2020 were unlike any other confronted in our lifetime. The global pandemic wreaked havoc on our personal and professional lives and the U.S. and global economies. The Commerce Department reports that U.S. GDP declined 3.5 percent in 2020, with the economy falling into recession in February 2020 — a month before the World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a pandemic. The 3.5 percent decline is the worst year for the U.S. economy since at least the end of World War II, as reported by CNBC. As the novel coronavirus caused businesses to shut down, the U.S. unemployment rate rose from ...

Building A Remote Workforce

Wednesday, April 14, 2021

BUILDING A REMOTE WORKFORCE Building a remote workforce is key in an age where more and more employees are choosing to work remotely. 2020 changed the perception of remote work for many employers and employees, bringing with it a rise in worker satisfaction, increased productivity, and better mental health for many. The benefits of the environment and housing market are other indicators that remote work is here to stay. As the trend of remote work continues to rise, you may be wondering how to include remote workers in your workforce attraction strategy. THE REMOTE WORK TREND WILL CONTINUE TO GROW Remote work ha...

Child Care Roundtable: What Minnesota Is Doing to Increase Availability of High-Quality, Affordable Child Care

Wednesday, April 07, 2021

St. Paul – Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Steve Grove and Department of Human Services Commissioner Jodi Harpstead were joined by staff of the Minnesota Children’s Cabinet and child care advocates and providers at a roundtable to discuss challenges providers have faced during the pandemic and the importance of high-quality, affordable child care in Minnesota’s economic recovery. This roundtable was part of a broader series of discussions the agency is hosting called “The Next Minnesota Economy,” focusing on inclusive economic growth, reskilling our labor market and creating good jobs. “We are about 80,000 slots short in the state of Minnesota fo...

Minnesota Small Business Development Centers Partner with First Children’s Finance to Support Minnesota’s Child Care Industry

Friday, April 02, 2021

St. Paul – Under a partnership agreement announced today, First Children’s Finance will operate as the first statewide satellite center in the Minnesota Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) Network – providing specialized business and financial assistance to child care businesses across Minnesota at no cost to the businesses. Minnesota SBDC is part of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). “Without access to affordable child care, parents can’t earn a living, businesses can’t recruit reliable workers, and children miss out on early educational opportunities,” said DEED Commissioner Steve Grove. “This has never been more apparent than during the pandemic – an...

Governor Proclaims April Technology Workforce Month in Minnesota

Thursday, April 01, 2021

St. Paul – Governor Tim Walz has proclaimed April 2021 Technology Month in Minnesota. It’s an opportunity to draw attention to our technology sector and workforce and its importance to Minnesota’s economy. While the importance of these jobs has been highlighted during the pandemic, technology workers have been in demand in Minnesota’s economy for a long time and represent some of the highest-paid, best jobs in our state. According to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Labor Market Information (LMI) Office, the state of Minnesota is home to about 110,000 people working in Information Technology occupations. That’s about 3.8% of tota...

COVID-19 Vaccine Resources For Businesses

Friday, March 26, 2021

As of March 30, all Minnesotans 16 years of age and older will be eligible to receive a vaccine. Minnesota has directed providers to prioritize vaccine appointments for people most at risk of getting COVID-19, or those who could develop severe illness if infected. This includes older Minnesotans, those with underlying health conditions, and those in essential jobs. 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 fl...

Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel: Excellent Amenities and Gaming Fun in Morton

Thursday, March 25, 2021

The Redwood area is home to many exciting entertainment and recreational opportunities, including endless gaming action at the Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel in Morton, only seven miles east of Redwood Falls. Casino play, live entertainment, a renowned golf experience and abundant dining options are only a few of the excellent amenities awaiting guests at this lively Minnesota establishment. Space to Play Jackpot Junction is Minnesota’s first and friendliest casino with 440,000 square feet and two floors of gaming and gambling space! The casino offers 1,250 of the latest video slot machines, with a variety of themes ranging in denomination from one cen...

Learn These 10 Essential Growth Skills (Facebook, Google SEO, Amazon FBA) to Help Propel Your Business

Thursday, March 25, 2021

One of the most important keys to entrepreneurial success is continuous learning. The world is constantly changing around you and your business, and if you're not constantly learning and staying up to speed with what's happening in the business world, you risk falling behind. We've rounded up resources to learn some of today's most important skills, all of which are an extra 50% off when you use code LEARNIT at checkout. 1. Google Analytics Google Analytics is one of the world's leading web analytics tools and an absolute must-know for anybody operating a website. With GA, you can analyze your site's traffic to better understan...

Roundtable on Youth Jobs and Development Highlights Importance of Engaging Young People in Employment Opportunities

Wednesday, March 24, 2021

St. Paul – Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Commissioner Steve Grove and Deputy Commissioner Hamse Warfa held a virtual roundtable on Friday, March 19 focused on the impact of the pandemic on youth jobs. The discussion was attended by employers across the state and is part of a push to place more young people into great jobs this coming summer. The roundtable is part of a broader series of discussions the agency is hosting called “The Next Minnesota Economy,” focusing on inclusive economic growth, reskilling our labor market and creating good jobs. “We want to help employers enable a surg...

Recruiting and Retaining Today’s Manufacturing Workforce

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

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...

Front Line: Job Creation Through Reshoring

Monday, March 22, 2021

Back in the 1980s, the term “offshoring” became a business buzzword as more and more U.S. companies moved manufacturing to foreign countries, typically to save on labor costs. In recent years, “reshoring” has been added to the lexicon as companies decide to bring manufacturing back to the U.S., for various reasons. In 2020, reshoring created more U.S. jobs than foreign direct investment (FDI) for the first time in seven years, according to data collected by the Reshoring Initiative. In 2020, U.S. companies reshored nearly 69,000 manufacturing positions, while greenfield investment in the same industries created fewer than 42,000 jobs, according to the Initiative...

Trends in Office and Industrial Parks

Monday, March 22, 2021

Of course, the big factor impacting office and industrial parks going into 2021 is COVID-19. The pandemic has reduced business production and workforce (through illness, social distancing, and remote working), disrupted the supply chain and cash flow, and brought about significant investments in technology. Across the nation, the demand for suburban office parks is rising as more skilled workers move back to suburbs, due to concerns about housing costs and quality of education — they also feel safer from COVID-19 and the civil unrest that is happening in some larger cities. “The most notable shift is toward lower-intensity spaces, where getting int...

What You Need To Start Doing Now To Attract Remote Workers

Monday, March 22, 2021

You want to dip into the remote workforce honey pot, so here's what you need to start doing to attract remote workers today! Remote workers balance out the economic climate for communities, bring in new skillsets to the local workforce, grow the tax base, and reduce the carbon footprint by eliminating a long commute. An abundance of remote workers are looking to relocate to communities that check all the boxes on their want/need list. Tap into this opportunity now with these simple steps. CREATE A REMOTE WORKFORCE ATTRACTION STRATEGY Economic developers should start by building a step-by-step remote workforce attraction strategy. Preparing thes...

Servicing the Wind

Friday, March 19, 2021

Solar and wind farms impress with the stupendous scale of their towers, blades and panels, stretching all the way to the horizon to capture every last drop of sun and breeze. Much of the economic opportunity related to them, however, takes place on smaller scale, in the form of services rendered to those massive displays of power from clusters of manufacturing, maintenance and services firms. It can take the form of individual companies such as Cross Country Infrastructure Services, an Aurora, Colorado–based equipment and construction contractor supplier that announced in November it’s moving into growing wind and solar markets by increasin...

The Future of the Workforce Is a “Better Normal”

Friday, March 19, 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...

How to Use Automation (and Avoid the Pitfalls) as an Entrepreneur

Thursday, March 18, 2021

All over the world, entrepreneurs are turning to a powerful tool to improve their efficiency and raw output: automation. Often hailed as the ultimate weapon for increasing productivity, automation certainly has a lot of advantages. But it’s not guaranteed to be effective. In fact, when used incorrectly, automation can end up working against you. To use automation effectively, you need to understand its strengths and weaknesses and build a strategy around them. Why automation is useful These days, you can automate a variety of work functions and activities. If you’re producing a physical good, you can likely automate production with the right machinery. If you’r...

Small Businesses Share How Minnesota’s Small Business Development Centers Helped them Weather the Pandemic

Thursday, March 18, 2021

St. Paul – March 17th was national Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Day and Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Commissioner Steve Grove and SBDC State Director Bruce Strong engaged in a lively, productive discussion with several small business owners and SBDC advisory board members from across the state. Business owners related stories about the challenges they’ve faced starting and running businesses both before and during the pandemic. Participants talked about the value of Minnesota’s network of Small Business Development Centers which assisted more than 5,835 Minnesota entrepreneurs and businesses in 2020, providing over 32,900 professional consulting hours at no cos...

4 Basic Business Tools New Entrepreneurs Need To Succeed

Wednesday, March 17, 2021

This year, many eager new entrepreneurs are ready to hit the ground running with their startups and hopefully experience a year less challenging than the previous one. When launching a new business, it’s important to consider what business tools and core essentials small businesses need in order to thrive in today’s "new normal." I help entrepreneurs incorporate and form limited liability companies, so I generally tend to share advice on legal must-haves for small businesses, like business formations, trademarks, and tax IDs. However, I’m not going to do that this time around. Let’s assume you have obtained these items already. What other tools are necessar...

Essential and Emerging Skills Sought by Minnesota Employers Now

Monday, March 15, 2021

As business needs continue to evolve in response to the pandemic, many employers are putting new emphasis on finding candidates with essential workplace skills. According to RealTime Talent, while many job postings include post-secondary or technical training as a requirement, there are also many jobs for which employers are specifically seeking essential soft skills, such as time management, written communication, building collaborative relationships, self-confidence, and being a forward-thinker. This article takes a closer look at what skills are most sought by Minnesota employers now and what skills are emerging as the new foundational skills career seekers should try to develo...

EcoWater Systems by Johanneck Water – Providing Reliable and Superior Water Conditioning in Redwood County and the World

Thursday, March 11, 2021

Redwood County is proud to be home to Johanneck Water Conditioning, more commonly referred to as EcoWater Systems of Redwood Falls, part of the oldest water conditioning company in the world! EcoWater Systems originated in 1925, when Lynn Lindsay obtained the first patent for automatic water conditioners and began what was then called the Lindsay Company. The company has grown exponentially since then. As the largest manufacturer of residential water conditioning equipment in the world, they produce superior water treatment equipment in addition to providing top-tier service and support through a global network of dealers, one of which is Johanneck Water. Jay Johanneck...

7 Brilliant Ways To Grow Your Remote Workforce

Monday, March 08, 2021

These 7 brilliant ways to grow your remote workforce will help you reap the benefits of the work from home movement! The advantages of a remote workforce for workers, employers, and the towns and states they reside in are many. TAP INTO THE WORK FROM HOME MOVEMENT 70% of the American workforce is likely to work remotely at least five days every month by 2025. A large number of remote workers will spend much more time than that at home. The remote workforce experiences a better work-life balance, higher productivity, and more flexibility while contributing a large number of benefits to the loca...

Local manufacturer successfully adapted to unique working conditions during pandemic

Saturday, February 27, 2021

This is the fifth in a series of articles about how the pandemic has affected Redwood area businesses and organizations. This week we circle back and hear from another manufacturing business—Altimate Medical and Active Aid. The Gazette is working with Anne Johnson, Executive Director, Redwood Area Chamber & Tourism, to present this information. “The Redwood Area is a great place to build your career and raise a family,” said Johnson. “A popular tagline in recent years is: ‘Live, Work, and Play in the Redwood Area,’ because the community has many amenities that attract people to an area, including good jobs. “One industr...

Providing Relief For Businesses Helps The Community, Quality Of Life

Thursday, February 25, 2021

Businesses throughout Minnesota continue to struggle their way through the COVID-19 pandemic. With tax filing season upon us, it’s time to help employers who have sacrificed, yet still maintained paychecks for their employees. Lawmakers in Minnesota can ease some of this uncertainty, support struggling small businesses and propel the state toward economic recovery by preventing taxes on Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. PPP was a major component of federal COVID-19 relief legislation, providing forgivable loans small businesses need to pay employees and cover expenses throughout the pandemic. Congress didn’t intend to tax the forgiven PPP loans, and businesses are allowed to deduc...

Empowering an inclusive economic recovery by setting goals

Tuesday, February 23, 2021

One of the most important aspects of how we manage the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is the way we set goals and measure results. In 2019, we shared a new system we’ve put into place at the agency to set aspirational goals for every team, and measure progress every quarter. The system, called Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), is used by organizations around the world to build momentum toward a clear vision. As we begin the road to an inclusive economic recovery from COVID-19 in Minnesota, setting goals and measuring results are more important than ever before. Today, we ar...

Minnesota Valley Regional Rail Authority: Steadfastly Serving Redwood Area Businesses

Monday, February 22, 2021

The Minnesota Valley Regional Rail Authority (MVRRA) faithfully serves the businesses of Redwood County. 2020 was a tough year for many businesses, but MVRRA stayed busy, completing projects and shipping goods and commodities. MVRRA Administrator, Julie Rath, shares what the team at MVRRA has been up to and what their plans for 2021 will look like. “The TC&W, in the form of its Minnesota Prairie Line, Inc. subsidiary (MPLI), operates and maintains the rail line that MVRRA owns,” says Rath. The tracks were originally built in 1880 and were acquired by the MVRRA in 1982. The Minnesota Prairie Line runs 94 mile...

DEED’s New Data Tool Demonstrates the COVID-19 Pandemic Recession Remains Unique from Past Recessions

Thursday, February 18, 2021

The art and science of economics consistently uses models to predict the future. In downturns, we look to past recessions to try to guess what might happen next. Yet the economic fallout from COVID-19 has been unlike anything we’ve seen before. The uniquely targeted effect of the virus has led to unique economic conditions as well. Past recoveries don’t offer the same kind of models for the future. And models are, after all, only models. To illustrate just how different today’s economic crisis is from the past, our Labor Market Information team built a new Comparing Recessions data tool for the Minnesota Department of Employmen...

Minnesota Manufacturers Expect Lingering Pandemic Conditions for 2021

Wednesday, February 17, 2021

St. Paul – Respondents to an annual Manufacturing Business Conditions Survey conducted by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis say they expect mostly unchanged or improved conditions in 2021. In looking back on 2020, Minnesota manufacturers described contracting conditions. Sixty percent of respondents indicated a decline in number of orders and 57% experienced a drop in profits. While they expect lingering pandemic conditions in 2021, more than half of respondents indicated they expect to go back to normal operations in more than six months. At the same time, almost 13% expect their businesse...

How To Prepare A Business Plan That Is Useful In Practice

Saturday, February 13, 2021

Have you ever seen one of those 50-page business plans that go into detail about every conceivable aspect of a still purely theoretical business? You probably have, since those business plans have been the industry standard for decades. Yet, in a world where words like lean and agile are becoming the new norm for startups, 50-page business plans look a bit out of place, and with a good reason. It’s a fact that creating a plan is very helpful for a new business. A study of more than 10 thousand businesses shows that ventures grow 30% faster on average if they create business plans. However, another study indicates that innovative startup...

10 Biggest Challenges Small Business Owners Face Right Now

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

There is not a day that goes by where we don’t talk about the COVID pandemic. It is on the news, in our social feeds and it has infiltrated both our personal and professional worlds. Many businesses have shifted employees to a work-from-home routine; changing everything about how the business day works. We’ve moved from in-person to video. We’ve adapted to multiple family members attempting to be productive, in the same space, at the same time and we’ve shifted from brick-and-mortar to a heavier online presence. In the midst of it all, there have been many success stories. Yet, the challenges are ever apparent...

Strategies for Accelerating Project Execution

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

More than 75 percent of the companies responding to a recent survey from the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) expect the COVID-19 pandemic will have a financial impact on their business, with more than 50 percent anticipating changes to their operations. Prior to the pandemic many manufacturing companies had design and construction projects, either in progress or in the pipeline, with aggressive schedules. To slow the spread of the disease, many manufacturing operations and construction sites were shut down while new safety precautions were developed and implemented. Furthermore, uncertainty in the market caused many companies to delay committing large capital investments int...

Lower Sioux Indian Community To Get Ancestral Land Back From Minnesota, MN Historical Society

Thursday, February 04, 2021

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — Lower Sioux Indian Community tribal leaders say that land with historical significance will be returned to the Community from the State of Minnesota and the Minnesota Historical Society. According to Community Council President Robert Larsen, plans are being finalized for the land acquisition, with the closing date of the transfer expected on Feb. 12. The land includes MHS parcels at the site where the U.S. Dakota War of 1862 started, which eventually led to the the “largest single day, mass execution in U.S. History.” “This transfer is of great historical significance,” the tribe said in a release. “The United State...

How To Reduce High Employee Turnover: The Ultimate Guide

Wednesday, February 03, 2021

Employee Retention Strategies Attracting top talent to your company and then keeping that talent once you've got it, is crucial to your business's growth and reputation. Employee retention and motivation are interdependent and directly correlated. This means a good employee retention rate will reduce operational costs, allow you to outperform your direct competitors, build morale, and improve your customer service levels. Hiring and firing is expensive. Very expensive. If someone leaves your company, you need to consider the opportunity cost and the impact of not having someone in that role for an extended period. It could wipe out a particular client. It coul...

Shipping as a Small-Business Growth Strategy - Here’s What You Need to Know

Tuesday, February 02, 2021

Small businesses have faced many challenges and hurdles since the pandemic began, but e-commerce continues to thrive. The rise in online shopping is likely to continue, making it more important than ever to offer shipping for your products. Join this session where Jamie Mason, FedEx Sales Director, will share expert advice on getting started with shipping, how to save time and money, and insight on how small businesses can make the most of this opportunity for growth. Read full article.

5 Ways COVID-19 Changed Site Selection

Friday, January 29, 2021

COVID-19 didn’t just upset the established model of corporate site selection in 2020; the global pandemic obliterated it. Site Selection Magazine’s annual survey of site selection consultants, conducted in late November, revealed five ways in which the global outbreak of coronavirus significantly altered how companies choose their business facility locations: Instead of people chasing jobs, jobs are now chasing people. Remember the good old days when everyone checked into the central office each workday and reported for duty? Yeah, neither do we. When the pandemic hit America in early March, worksites around the country began shutting down and the shift to remote wor...

Redwood area organizations bring life to community, adjust to serving during pandemic

Tuesday, January 26, 2021

This is the second in a series of articles about how the pandemic has affected Redwood area businesses and organizations. The Gazette is working with Anne Johnson, Executive Director, Redwood Area Chamber & Tourism, to present this information. This article features four local non-profit organizations which were asked by Johnson to provide comments and “news” about how their activities and future plans have been impacted by COVID-19. “The Redwood Area is a great place to build your career and raise a family,” said Johnson. “One of the many attributes that supports that is our active network of community organizations and non-profits. COVID-1...

Why Would My Community Want To Attract A Remote Workforce

Monday, January 25, 2021

Why would my community want to attract a REMOTE WORKFORCE? -- To grow your economy, of course! The coronavirus pandemic has affected U.S. workplaces in many ways, including transitioning many employees to remote work. As some businesses begin to welcome employees back to the office, many remote workers, about two-thirds to be exact, are opting to continue working remotely, according to a GALLUP POLL. Attracting remote workers should now be a priority for all economic developers. WHY WOULD MY COMMUNITY WANT TO ATTRACT A REMOTE WORKFORCE? Remote workers can bring many benefits to the communities they choose to live in. Just like any othe...

Why Would My Community Want To Attract A Remote Workforce

Monday, January 25, 2021

Launch Minnesota Receives National Award as a Small Business Administration “Super Connector”

Friday, January 22, 2021

St. Paul – Launch Minnesota – an initiative of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) designed to accelerate the growth of startups and amplify Minnesota as a national leader in innovation – has received a national award as a “Super Connector” in the new Lab-to-Market (L2M) Competition sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in partnership with the National Science and Technology. The competition drew over 160 submissions from across the country and awarded $330,000 in prizes. Launch Minnesota was one of four recipients in the Super Connector category which recognizes “current efforts to successfully attract and/or support networks of underrepresented communitie...

Health Care Apprenticeships and On-the-Job Training Opportunities Available to Employers and Job Seekers

Thursday, January 21, 2021

During the third week of Health Care Month, we are focusing on apprenticeship and training programs that are available to both employers and job seekers. As Governor Walz noted in his proclamation of January as Health Care Month, health care in Minnesota pays an average annual wage of $53,659, which is 4% higher than the nation’s average wage of $51,792 for the same sector. Wages go up with additional training, certification, and experience. DEED’s Labor Market Information office indicates there is projected long-term demand, as well as high current demand for health care workers. In fact, four of the top 10 job...

Economic Dashboard For Minnesota's Recovery

Wednesday, January 20, 2021

Economic and business activity helps gauge the pace of Minnesota’s economic recovery from the shock of COVID-19. This dashboard, brought to you by the Minnesota Chamber Foundation, tracks activity data statewide and nationally. The data are dynamic, so check back often. Read analysis here. Read full article.

Education and Training Opportunities in Health Care

Thursday, January 14, 2021

So you’ve heard time and time again about how an entry level position in health care can be a springboard to a new and fulfilling career, and that is true. Health care is one of the few occupations where you are limited only by your own personal goals in life. So I wanted to take this opportunity to share information about the education and training opportunities that exist to help you begin your journey as a health care professional. Health care for youth and young adults Not sure if health care is the occupation for you? There are many opportunities to tak...

How to Protect Your Small Business Against Fraud

Thursday, January 14, 2021

As a small business owner, you have many responsibilities to uphold to keep your company running efficiently. One of them is ensuring you have sufficient security measures in place to protect organizational and employee data from fraudulent scams. Unfortunately, online scams are becoming increasingly pervasive: as of 2018, 82% of businesses reported experiencing a form of fraud. While these findings indicated that large enterprises were at a particularly high risk, small businesses were not exempt from these attacks, which is why it’s more important than ever to protect your small business against fraud. Here are three steps you can follow to boost your security and keep scammers a...

5 Reasons Why Good Leaders Must Be Great Followers

Wednesday, January 13, 2021

“He who cannot be a good follower, cannot be a good leader.” Aristotle's old adage has never seemed more prescient. Consider the current Covid crisis: It has taken a pandemic to prove that distant, aloof and larger-than-life leaders are no longer effective. Now more than ever it has become advisable for the modern manager to empathize with, and lend an ear to, those he manages. A study conducted by Kim Peters & S. Alexander Haslam on these two identities has proven that individuals who appear to be ideal followers are often a more popular choice for any leadership position among their peers. Here are 5 reasons why an individual’s personality as a player helps them to be a proficien...

Entrepreneurs, Here's Why 2021 Is The Right Time To Start Your New Business

Wednesday, January 13, 2021

The year 2020 came with its own share of problems. If there is one thing to learn from living through pandemics and lockdowns, it’s that a lot can change in a year. Many entrepreneurs started last January with high hopes and expectations for their businesses. However, many of those expectations went downhill as the year progressed. As with human nature, life moves on no matter what, so even though we were stuck at home for most of 2020, many businesses found ways to stay afloat. As we move forward in this new year, entrepreneurs are looking to strategize and many ar...

Site Selectors Make Five Predictions for 2021

Wednesday, January 13, 2021

Renewed site selection activity, cautious optimism on foreign direct investment (FDI), continued skilled labor shortages and a shakeup of the global supply chain are among key findings of a 2021 outlook survey on corporate location trends. The findings were released today by the Site Selectors Guild, the only association of the world’s foremost professional site selection consultants. Conducted the week of December 7, 2020, the online survey of Guild members aimed to shed light on shifts and challenges in corporate location strategy moving into 2021. The COVID-19 impact survey of Guild members is the third of its kind, following surveys i...

Five Essential Elements Of A Marketing Plan For A Small Business

Tuesday, January 12, 2021

If you are planning to open your own small business, the first step is to develop a business plan. The next step is to develop a marketing plan, as all business plans should be paired with a strategy for marketing your products or services. Marketing strategies vary in format, but they all have the common goal of attracting and building relationships with customers. The style is up to you, but it should include the following elements. 1. Marketing Goals and Objectives You will need to develop realistic and measurable marketing goals that cover a full calendar year and are aligned with you...

Another Look at Rural Economies

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

4 Ways Your Company Can Have Great Success In 2021

Sunday, January 10, 2021

2020 was a tough year for businesses of all sorts. Covid-19 decimated labor markets, stressed supply lines and, in some unlucky sectors, ground production to a halt. 2021 is a chance to forget last year’s trials and to start fresh. Chances must be capitalized on to create change. You need to put your nose to the grindstone, both personally and as a business leader, if you want to make it a red-letter year. If 2021 is going to be your company’s year, you have to make it so. Here’s how to do it: 1. Tailor Your Expressions of Appreciation This past year has been jus...

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.

How To Include Remote Workers In Your Workforce Attraction Strategy

Wednesday, January 06, 2021

As we enter a new year, you may be wondering HOW TO INCLUDE REMOTE WORKERS IN YOUR WORKFORCE ATTRACTION STRATEGY. Government regulations and efforts to slow the pandemic have forced workplaces to embrace remote work options. 88% OF BUSINESSES all over the world authorized their employees to work from home due to COVID-19. It is vital to focus on effectively targeting remote workers but how does this translate to benefitting the local economy? WHY IT'S WORTH IT TO ATTRACT REMOTE WORKERS IT GROWS AND DIVERSIFIES THE LOCAL ECONOMY More people working from home equals more money spent locally. More money remains in the community, and the community prospers. Read ful...

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

Minnesota Business Leaders Lay Out Solutions To Workforce Challenges

Thursday, May 20, 2021

Workforce: A Persistent Challenge Takes Innovation Solutions Recently, the Minnesota Chamber held its annual Workforce Solutions Forum to talk about a fundamental challenge that faced employers for years before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and is likely to continue long after: workforce. The Minnesota Chamber Foundation’s Center for Workforce Solutions is a business-led initiative to ensure employers and employees possess the necessary tools for jobs of the future. Workforce moves far past admiration of workforce challenges. We focus on innovative solutions; to fill positions now and to change the long-term process that can develop a pipeline of workers and meaningful employment in Minnesot...