Great River Energy News

St. Cloud Electrolux production to end November — 90% of staff to be laid off

Monday, September 02, 2019

ST. CLOUD — More than a year after Electrolux announced it would close its St. Cloud plant, the company has set an end date for production at the facility. Production for all lines and shifts is scheduled to end Nov. 1, according to a written statement from the company. Approximately 90% of the company's employees will be permanently laid off at that time. The remaining 10% of employees will be winding down operations for several months afterwards, the company said. Click here to view the original article from the St. Cloud Times.

800+ Employees Available Nov. 2019 - St. Cloud MN Plant Closing

Sunday, September 01, 2019

Enbridge gives $20,000 for Hill City projects

Saturday, August 31, 2019

Enbridge presented checks totaling $20,000 in grants to the Hill City community. “Hill City and our area residents are very excited to see the Line 3 Project move forward and to be part of this endeavor with Enbridge. This $20,000 grant in our community (police, fire, and city) reflects a partnership we the city welcome from Enbridge with open arms and look forward to working with Enbridge and their staff,” said Hill City Mayor Dan Kingsley. “We’re happy to support Hill City’s fire department, police department and city signage project,” said Trent Wetmore, Enbridge Director of Midwest Operations. The fire department is plannin...

Steve Grove brings a new, Google-inspired approach to measuring results to DEED

Friday, August 30, 2019

When Steve Grove was named commissioner of Minnesota’s Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) in January 2019, he sparked some high expectations. Grove—originally from Northfield—had previously directed Google’s $300 million Google News Lab, and Minnesota employers were eager to see how his experience in Silicon Valley might reshape the agency. In August, DEED released its new strategic plan, and the Star Tribune’s Lee Schafer reports that it “has at least one very good idea from Google baked into it.” That’s a new way to measure success, called “objectives and key results,” or OKR. Click here to view the original article from Great Jobs Minnesota.

Twin Cities score high among places for best work-life balance (gallery)

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Whether it's disconnecting from your phone after clocking out or taking off early to get to a recital, everybody has their own ways to maintain their work-life balance. But based on a recent study, that balance could be harder to achieve depending on the city you live. Based on a ranking from the New York-based company Kisi, while U.S. cities often aren't the best in the world at helping workers achieve this balance, there are some where you won't burn you at quite as quickly. On a 100-point scale, only three U.S. cities achieved a rating barely over 50. (Minneapolis/St. Pau...

Attracting business through virtual reality

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Relationships are key to economic development. But let’s face it: This puts rural communities at a disadvantage in business attraction since site selectors don’t often have the time and money to visit small, remote towns. When in-person meetings aren’t possible, the right technology can do an excellent job of bridging the communication gap. Virtual reality (VR) has proven to be the next best method for showcasing community assets and capturing the attention of busy site selectors. Great River Energy partnered with economic development communications firm Golden Shovel Agency early to pioneer innovative VR technology for use in economic development. Tom Lambrecht, manager o...

Co-op hosts weeklong economic development course

Thursday, August 22, 2019

A five-day course designed for those new to economic development as well as seasoned professionals seeking to deepen their knowledge and skills in the field was hosted at Great River Energy’s Maple Grove office in late July. The Upper Midwest Basic Economic Development Course provided intensive training in the basic concepts, methods and strategies of local economic development. Attendees learned from a diverse and experienced faculty who provided a blend of theory and practice during the course. They studied the core building blocks of the industry, including: business retention and expansion, financing, marketing and business attraction, strategic planning and workforce development. The cours...

Duluth to Denver? Airport seeks federal funding for direct route

Thursday, August 22, 2019

The airport recently applied for a U.S. Department of Transportation grant to help fund the route. The Duluth International Airport (DLH) recently submitted its application to secure federal funding for a direct flight to Denver. The U.S. Department of Transportation grant would fund around 70% of the project’s more than $1.1 million price tag, with the local businesses and entities supporting the remaining costs. Establishing this route would decrease air fares, as well as give Duluth residents and businesses easier access to western cities, according to the grant application. Click here to view the original article from the Duluth News Tribune.

Fresh produce to be grown indoors with electricity

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Leafy greens will soon be grown 365 days of the year Minnesota. How? An insulated shipping container equipped with a complete hydroponic growing system will be delivered to the Central Lakes College (CLC) Agricultural Campus as part of an Electric Power Research Institute research project with Great River Energy, Todd-Wadena Electric Cooperative (TWEC), Lakewood Health System (LHS) and the college. Each partner will play a critical role in the two-year demonstration. Students from CLC’s horticulture and agriculture degree programs will learn firsthand about sustainable agriculture practices by maintaining and harvesting the produce, which will then be delivered to LHS for its “Food Farmacy&rdquo...

New future for Mille Lacs County sawmill

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Continued growth in the construction sector has increased demand for erosion control products using wood. One electric cooperative’s partnership with a local business will help meet that need. Gap financing provided through East Central Energy’s (ECE) revolving loan fund will help support the expansion of a sawmill in Milaca, Minnesota, this fall. Silt Sock, Inc., manufactures filter fabric socks filled with processed wood that are designed to allow water to flow through at a controlled rate while trapping sediment. These barriers are used as a lower-profile alternative to silt fencing on construction sites, protecting waterways from excess sediment by way of run-of...

Recruiting and retaining the best workforce

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Workforce development is a topic on the minds of business owners and economic developers around the nation. Minnesota is no different. It’s projected that the state will be short 239,000 workers by 2022. Across Minnesota, and throughout Great River Energy’s member-owner service area, economic development partners are working proactively to address this workforce challenge. Here are a few examples of some of the innovative initiatives making the state more competitive in attracting and retaining talent. Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation (GSDC) GSDC’s mission is to spearhead economic development in the greater St. Cloud region. Part of this charge is to expand and nurtur...

In hurricane's wake, Puerto Ricans find safe harbor in Minnesota

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Many are rebuilding their lives here, though they face barriers. Some aren’t sure if they’ll stay. Victor Rivera Garcia, his wife Alejandra and their 1- and 3-year-old daughters fled their home in La Perla, Puerto Rico just as Hurricane Maria came crashing down on the island. They escaped to his mother’s house but when they returned to La Perla they found most of their belongings — from their fridge to laptops to the girls’ clothes — destroyed. Click here to view the original article from MPR News.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz headed to Tokyo and Seoul to promote business partnerships

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Midwest governors are meeting in Tokyo for a conference. Gov. Tim Walz and governors from across the Midwest are headed to Japan in September to talk about international economic partnerships. Walz, along with staff from the state’s Minnesota Trade Office, will be in Tokyo from Sept. 7 through Sept. 10 for the Midwest U.S. Japan Association Conference. Governors from Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin will also attend, according to Walz’s office. Click here to view the original article from the Star Tribune.

University of Minnesota spins out a record number of startups

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

The University of Minnesota's Venture Center announced that it had spun out 19 startups in the most recent financial year, its most ever. The class of 2019 includes a company that creates concussion recovery technology, a cancer therapy for dogs and a line of acne products for boys. "It was a really good year," Russ Straate said. Straate is the Venture Center's associate director. The Venture Center was founded in 2006 and is part of the University of Minnesota Technology Commercialization, aims to transform research done at the U into tangible products. Click here to view the original article from the Minneapolis/St. Paul Busines...

2019’s States with the Best & Worst Community-College Systems

Monday, August 19, 2019

University education is out of reach for many Americans, especially those from low-income households. But thanks to community colleges, higher education is more accessible than ever. Compared with public four-year institutions, where tuition and fees cost almost three times as much on average, community colleges offer many savings for students. Some states make community college even more accessible than usual. Multiple states and numerous cities across the U.S. have started “College Promise” programs that give residents free rides to community college. New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Tennessee are some of the states that have joined so far. Such initiatives are proving to be mor...

Minnesota Creates Launchpad for Growing Startups

Monday, August 19, 2019

The state that gave the world masking tape, water skis, the Milky Way candy bar, snowblowers and the pop-up toaster is about to give the next generation of startups a helping hand. That hand is called Launch Minnesota, a new initiative being rolled out by the state Department of Employment and Economic Development. According to DEED, “Launch Minnesota will support a series of new initiatives designed to accelerate the growth of high-technology companies. The initiative is designed to lower the risk required to fund, start or grow technology businesses in Minnesota. LM will bring all of these initiatives together under ...

People in Business 2019: Tri-County Health Care announces plans for new hospital

Sunday, August 18, 2019

Tri-County Health Care staff announced in March 2019 plans to either expand or build a new hospital. Later in 2019, after public meetings and researching potential locations, they set their sights on a location west of Wadena on a property in Otter Tail County. If all testing checks out, they are looking at building a new hospital at that location, as soon as spring of 2020. The current hospital faces obstacles such as an inefficient layout, operating rooms that are costly to update, hidden location, poor energy efficiency, lack of parking and limited room for expansion in its current location. These mak...

Catalyst comes to the Northland

Saturday, August 17, 2019

Cook County could one day become a place where movies and TV programs are filmed, or portions of them, anyway, bringing good-paying jobs with the filmmaking. And Cook County could also host locations where TV and film writers gather to work on scripts, Riki McManus told a small group of people at Grand Marais city hall. For more than 30 years McManus has been the director of the Upper Minnesota Film Office. She and Katie Strand, a producer, and JoAnn Jardine, a photographer, were in Grand Marais discussing Catalysts recent move to Duluth, and what that move means for the Northland. Click here t...

Spirits among spirits: Distillery near cemetery produces gin, vodka

Saturday, August 17, 2019

There aren’t many craft spirit companies named after a graveyard. However, count Alexandria’s newest distillery among them. Ida Graves Distillery is located near Lake Ida and Lake Ida Cemetery, and has been distributing products since July. Co-founders and owners Anna Wilson and Brock Berglund wanted to produce spirits locally sourced and environmentally responsible. The two are married and work full-time jobs in other industries, but sought to follow their passions into the craft spirits market as a side endeavor, hopefully turning it into something larger. Click here to view the original article from the Alexandria Echo Press.

Northland Foundation awards 42 grants, several to Cook County nonprofits

Friday, August 16, 2019

During the second quarter of 2019, the Northland Foundation awarded 42 grants totaling $389,835. Five grants of $10,000 were made to increase the supply of childcare openings in the region. The five childcare grants were awarded to help with the start-up four new programs that will be located in Eveleth, Aitkin, Duluth, and Hermantown, and to help expand an existing childcare program located in Virginia. The $50,000 in funding for these grants was provided by the Minnesota Department of Human Services. “We are appreciative that the State of Minnesota has committed funding to help increase access to high-quality childcare in ou...

Farming is one of backbones for state’s economy

Wednesday, August 14, 2019

I grew up on a small hobby farm just outside of Northfield surrounded by hundreds of acres of our neighbors’ cropland. My dad based his landscaping business out of our small three-and-a-half-acre plot, and we raised chickens and pigeons in the small coop on our property. Every day, I rode the school bus into town with friends and neighbors who shared their stories of working on the farm. The pride in their voices and their strong and independent spirit is something I’ve never forgotten. Farming has always been one of the backbones of the Minnesota economy – it’s part of who w...

Learning through summer jobs: Teenagers taking advantage of multitude of openings

Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Jeff Wild started washing dishes at a restaurant many years ago as his first job. Now, he is the owner of Arrowwood Resort and Conference Center. That first job is one of the many reasons Wild sees the importance of jobs for teenagers. “Jobs get them started in life and teach them responsibility,” he said. Showing up for shifts on time, staying safe in the workplace, learning how to request time off and going through training for customer service are some skills teens can learn. “It’s a tremendous learning curve, especially for the younger ones." Despite their busy schedules, many teenagers in Alexandria ar...

Minnesota’s startup ecosystem

Sunday, August 11, 2019

Tucked away in this year’s motley special session package at the Legislature was a bill authorizing the creation of Launch Minnesota, a $5 million public-private program to grow the state’s innovation economy. Amid partisan sniping over proposed increases to public education funding and the state gas tax, Launch Minnesota’s relatively modest investment drew low-key support from both sides of the aisle, emerging from the legislative gantlet with the broad strokes of Gov. Tim Walz’s original proposal intact — albeit with a slimmer budget. The passage of Launch Minnesota was hailed as an early win for the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED...

Minnesota Maintains AAA Ratings

Saturday, August 10, 2019

Standard & Poor's and Fitch Affirm Minnesota’s Bond Ratings ST. PAUL, MN – Top financial analysts Standard & Poor's and Fitch announced that they are affirming Minnesota’s AAA, the highest rating awarded by the analysts. The following is a statement from Governor Tim Walz: “AAA ratings from Fitch and Standard & Poor’s is a testament to Minnesota’s strong economy and fiscal management. We are proud of the work we did this legislative session to help secure this rating. Now we need to work to pass a robust bonding bill to invest in the future and ensure our economy works for all Minnesotans.” Click her...

CareerForce Customer Video

Friday, August 09, 2019

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fF2nB-yVRU#action=share

8 ways warehouse construction has evolved

Thursday, August 08, 2019

The e-commerce revolution has had a major impact on the design and construction of supply chain facilities. Here are eight ways that these projects have transformed over the past few years. The rise of e-commerce has shaped U.S. warehouse facilities into next-generation logistics hubs. This transformation has radically changed the way these facilities are designed and constructed. Here are eight ways that modern warehouse facilities demand more from construction firms than those of a decade ago: Click here to view the original article from Supply Chain Dive.

Minnesota: Thriving in the North

Wednesday, August 07, 2019

From startups to Fortune 500 companies, Minnesota is the place for businesses to grow and thrive. With a top notch education system, great quality of life and a history of technological growth and innovation, anything is possible in Minnesota. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cl6_87_3hZg

American Peat extends harvest season with equipment innovation

Tuesday, August 06, 2019

American Peat Technology (APT) is adding new equipment to its fleet that will extend its harvest season from eight weeks to eight months to further its competitive advantage in the global peat market. Through a bank participation loan with Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation, the Aitkin-based company secured a custom-built excavator that is configured with float-based sectional barges designed to operate over swampy and water-based surfaces. Prior to the new equipment, APT has harvested peat in January and February when temperatures are well below freezing allowing winter roads to be built across the frozen peat surface. The new equipment will floa...

Minnesota Business Firms Expect Stable Conditions in 2020

Monday, August 05, 2019

Annual survey by DEED, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis measures stability of business services ST. PAUL – Minnesota business service firms feel positive about the economy, with 86 percent expecting sales revenue to increase or remain stable next year, according to a joint survey released by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Business services firms are less optimistic however that labor availability will grow or remain stable in 2020. Seventy-nine percent expect labor availability to remain stable, while 13 percent expect a decline. Only 8 percent of respondents anticipate labor availability to grow next year. Th...

Twin Metals proposes alternative tailings system

Sunday, August 04, 2019

Twin Metals Minnesota has announced plans to use the dry stack method to store leftover rock from its proposed underground copper-nickel mine nine miles southeast of Ely. The dry stack method eliminates the storage pond and dam associated with conventional tailings facilities, the nonferrous mining company said Thursday. It has been successfully used in four mines in the northern United States and Canada having similar climates and has been permitted at two mines in the western United States, Twin Metals said. The process, Twin Metals explained, involves removing target minerals and then compressing the remaining tailings into low-moisture, sand-like deposits that ar...

Land, resources available in Minnesota technology corridor

Saturday, August 03, 2019

A collaborative group including Anoka County, Washington County, Connexus Energy and other regional partners has launched the Minnesota Technology Corridor, an initiative to attract companies to the north metro. The initiative targets companies that can use the high energy capacity, high bandwidth, available land and talented workforce available in the area. At the center of this effort is a new website: mntechcorridor.com. This site provides detailed information about the area that notes how the region is primed for new business development, especially in the technology industry. There are 1,000-plus acres of land available in the corridor. In addition, greater than 200-megawatt power capacit...

These are America’s Top States for Business in 2019

Friday, August 02, 2019

The war between the states for business and jobs has never been more intense, with states paying staggering amounts of taxpayer dollars to woo companies. The prizes are big — including Amazon’s promised $5 billion HQ2 project, and Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Foxconn’s $10 billion U.S. manufacturing complex. By the numbers, some states are better positioned than others to compete for projects like these, and for the thousands of other smaller developments up for grabs each year. The CNBC America’s Top States for Business study, conducted every year since 2007, ranks all 50 states for business competitiveness using more than 60 metrics in 10 categories including Workforce...

Utilities’ Role in the Corporate Location Decision

Thursday, August 01, 2019

Conveying a company’s utility needs to service providers and choosing a location that can properly meet those needs — now and into the future — will help to ensure a project’s success. In today’s competitive landscape, the corporate site selection timeframe from project onset to when the facility is put into use continues to tighten. Decision-makers expect sites selected for new construction or a building chosen for a new operation to have the necessary utility capacity in place from the beginning. Therefore, utility providers can add tremendous value to the site selection process by working with communities, site selectors, and thei...

A push to bolster Minnesota’s tech economy takes shape

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

When Steve Grove was appointed commissioner of the state’s Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) in January, one of his first priorities was to grow the state’s technology sector to compete with cities like Seattle, Boston and Austin. That agenda is now taking shape with help from the Legislature. In the two-year budget approved in May, lawmakers passed a slate of proposals made by Grove and Gov. Tim Walz to foster startup businesses and build tech companies. The Legislature re-instituted an “angel” tax credit for people who invest in startups and created “Launch Minnesota,” an initiative focused on nurturing the tech scene wit...

How Minnesota's economy depends on small businesses

Thursday, July 11, 2019

Minnesotans around the state owe their paychecks to small business owners. The Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) reported that in 2016, 60 percent of private jobs in greater Minnesota were with businesses that employed fewer than 500 employees. These businesses pay taxes and provide economic stability during even the worst economic times, according to DEED. Small businesses increased by 5 percent in spite of the Great Recession. They were a source of stability for rural parts of the state that saw large organizations shed workers. Now, though, small businesses need to keep up with wage growth if they want to continu...

Best States to Live in

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Deciding on a place to call home can be a tough process. You’ll need to balance things like the cost of living with job opportunities, quality of education and safety. Personal preference also comes into the equation, as you’ll want to live somewhere with the types of attractions, recreational opportunities and weather that suit you. Luckily, there’s 50 states to choose from, from frigid Alaska to sunny Florida. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks. If you do the math, some states clearly outshine others in various categories. To find out the best states to live, WalletHub compared the 50 state...

RE/MAX report outlines small-town success

Tuesday, July 09, 2019

On a RE/MAX Top Team Report for April, Jared Lundgren and his real estate team were ranked 20 of roughly 100 RE/MAX teams in Minnesota; excepting Wayzata, RE/MAX Northland is the only team in the top 25 list working from a city smaller than 22,000 people. The report is based on residential commissions and ranks all RE/MAX teams in the state. According to the report, Lundgren’s team of four, after three years in business, surpassed some teams located in Plymouth, Rochester, Duluth, Minneapolis and St. Paul, cities over 30 times the size of Aitkin. Click here to view the original article fro...

A push to bolster Minnesota’s tech economy takes shape

Saturday, July 06, 2019

DEED Names Assistant Commissioner for Workforce Services

Saturday, July 06, 2019

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced that Carol Pankow will serve as Assistant Commissioner for Workforce Services. Within DEED, the workforce services division helps individuals overcome barriers to employment and develop job skills by providing a range of programs and services for laid-off and unemployed individuals. Click here to view the original article from DEED.

Land, resources available in Minnesota technology corridor

Friday, July 05, 2019

Anoka County, along with Washington County, Connexus Energy and other regional partners, have launched the Minnesota Technology Corridor, which is an initiative to attract companies to the north metro that can utilize the high energy capacity, high bandwidth, available land and talented workforce available in the area. At the center of this effort is new website mntechcorridor.com. This site has detailed information about this area that notes why the region is primed for new business development, especially in the technology industry. There are 1,000-plus acres of land available in the corridor, greater than 200-megawatt power capacity with 100 percent renewable battery storage options, significan...

State Awards $3.4 Million in Redevelopment Cleanup Grants

Thursday, July 04, 2019

The money helps clear way for new housing, commercial projects. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) awarded $3.4 million in cleanup grant funds to 15 redevelopment projects across the state. DEED estimates that these funds will draw $245.7 million in private investment for the projects. The funding is awarded through DEED’s Contamination Cleanup and Investigation Grants Program. “Contaminated sites are standing in the way of growth,” said Gov. Tim Walz in a statement announcing the grants. “That’s why we’re working to clean these sites and allow communities to redevelop the land. These projects will create 130 new jobs, 214 affordabl...

In Minnesota, A Marriage Between Business Giants And Growing Startups

Wednesday, July 03, 2019

How this Midwest state has developed a unique business ecosystem where enterprises and small businesses work together. Home to 17 Fortune 500 companies, it’s no surprise Minnesota has been referred to as a “headquarters economy.” Target is headquartered here, and so are General Mills and Best Buy. The state’s headquarters economy is diverse, with enterprise companies representing a cross-section of industries, including healthcare, retail, agriculture, manufacturing, financial services, medical devices, food production, bioscience, energy, and more. Click here to view the original article from the FiveThirtyEight.

Minnesota law opens clean energy financing program to new construction

Tuesday, July 02, 2019

The state’s commercial property assessed clean energy program was originally designed for building retrofits only. The administrator of a Minnesota clean energy financing program expects hundreds of millions of dollars in new projects to qualify thanks to changes signed into law as part of a state budget deal. Minnesota’s Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing program was originally designed to help finance retrofits for existing commercial buildings. The recently passed measure expands the program to include new buildings as well. It also allows larger loans based on appraised rather than assessed values. Click here to view the original article from the Energy News Network.

DEED Awards Small Cities Development Grants

Monday, July 01, 2019

More than 40 grants totaling more than $24 million approved for Greater Minnesota communities ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) awarded more than $24 million for 43 infrastructure and rehabilitation projects in Greater Minnesota. The Small Cities Development Program is part of the Community Development Block Grant Program administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and is funded by Congress. The program helps pay for rehabilitating housing and commercial buildings and updating public infrastructure in small cities and counties. Click here to view the original article from DEED.

Washington and Anoka counties team up to market suburbs as Minnesota Technology Corridor

Monday, July 01, 2019

Two counties and five cities in the northeast suburbs are launching a regional marketing push aimed at attracting data centers and technology businesses to undeveloped pockets near Interstate 35E. Anoka and Washington counties are leading the collaborative pitch to brand the stretch of freeway near Centerville, Columbus, Forest Lake, Hugo and Lino Lakes as the future home of the Minnesota Technology Corridor. The partners engineered a soft launch last week of the corridor website and plan to ramp up marketing efforts in July. The marketing highlights the area’s large utility capacity and its proximity to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and emphasizes the tech talen...

Washington and Anoka Counties team up to market suburbs as Minnesota Technology Corridor

Sunday, June 30, 2019

Effort aims to attract data centers, tech employers to two northeast metro counties. Two counties and five cities in the northeast suburbs are launching a regional marketing push aimed at attracting data centers and technology businesses to undeveloped pockets near Interstate 35E. Anoka and Washington counties are leading the collaborative pitch to brand the stretch of freeway near Centerville, Columbus, Forest Lake, Hugo and Lino Lakes as the future home of the Minnesota Technology Corridor. Click here to view the original article from the Star Tribune.

Itasca Co. awarded nearly $200k to help boost economic development

Saturday, June 29, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Itasca County has been awarded $190,000 to hire an economic recovery coordinator to help boost economic development in the county. The funds, which were awarded by the U.S. Department of Commerce, were announced by Congressman Pete Stauber, as well as U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith. In a press release by Stauber’s office, he says the investment will go a long way toward unleashing the economic engine in Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District. Click here to view the original article from CBS 3 Duluth.

THE RESTLESS ENTREPRENEUR: After buying fiberglass business, Tyler Deike stays hungry

Friday, June 28, 2019

Adds new products to St. James business Tyler Deike was mowing lawns before he was old enough to drive and cleaning hotels before he could book a room. As a 14- and 15-year-old, Tyler and his siblings would load a mower onto a trailer and get rides to customers from their father. At other times, the teen would clean rooms at a hotel owned by a family friend. “It wasn’t the most glamorous,” he said, but he was eager for the opportunities. Click here to view the original article from The Free Press.

Startups and Investors: DEED Relaunches Angel Tax Credit Program

Wednesday, June 26, 2019

The Minnesota Angel Tax Credit, a popular incentive program that has helped 430 startups since 2010, will start accepting applications again on July 1, 2019. The Angel Tax Credit program is now part of Launch Minnesota, a new initiative to grow Minnesota’s startup ecosystem. The incentive program stimulates private investments in emerging Minnesota businesses by providing a 25 percent credit to investors or investment funds that put money into startup companies focused on high technology, new proprietary technology, or a new proprietary product, process or service in specified fields. By encouraging investors, this program helps new businesses at a critical time in their development. Clic...

Zito Media takes over Lake Connections

Friday, June 21, 2019

Lake Connections, the county's municipal broadband project is officially sold and control of the system has been passed over. In the final closing sale June 3, Lake Connections was sold to Pinpoint Holdings, Inc., for $8.4 million, and control over the high-speed broadband system was handed over. But if Pinpoint is the new owner, why does a visit lakeconnections.com take a user to the homepage of a company called Zito Media? Click here to view the original article from the Lake County News Chronicle.

Launch Minnesota: Come Help Us Grow Minnesota’s Startup Ecosystem

Thursday, June 20, 2019

One of the most exciting outcomes of the 2019 Legislative session for DEED was the creation of a new program called Launch Minnesota. Designed to nurture technology startups and entrepreneurs across the state, Launch Minnesota will work with private industry to create financial incentives and programming to demonstrate that Minnesota is committed to fostering an innovation ecosystem that draws global attention. The program concept grew out of a collaboration between DEED and the Minnesota Legislature – with legislators on both sides of the aisle making meaningful contributions. It is a joint initiative with private businesses and nonprofit organizations statewide. Click here t...

Restaurants, senior housing among new local developments

Sunday, June 16, 2019

MANKATO — The growth in senior housing options continues to expand, with The Pillars of Mankato now open on the city's east side. Stacy Wihlm, executive director, said they have a total of 118 apartments, 20 for memory care and 98 independent and assisted living units. "You can come in as an independent living and we bring services to you as you need them and you don't have to change apartments," Wihlm said. Click here to view the original article from The Free Press.

22 Northmen Brewing Company to open Saturday, June 15

Friday, June 14, 2019

Clean, approachable, classic. Historic, innovative, tasteful. Those are all words used by Keith Hefley to describe the beer brewed at 22 Northmen Brewing Company. Hefley is the head brewer at Alexandria's newest craft brewery. Set to open Saturday, June 15, the operation is owned by Kim and Tami Bredeson, who also own Carlos Creek Winery. The brewery is on the same property as the winery on County Road 34 NW in Alexandria. Click here to view the original article from the Echo Press.

Minnesota’s Angel Tax Credit Is Back. Here’s What You Need to Know.

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and other state lawmakers have reinstated a program that gives tax breaks to investors backing Minnesota startups. The angel tax credit provides incentives to investors backing small businesses in Minnesota. It was (in general) popular among local startups, and when you look at the numbers it’s easy to see why. Between 2010 and 2017, more than $420 million was invested in 855 Minnesota businesses through the state’s angel tax credit program, according to the Department of Employment and Economic Development. In 2017, about 48 percent of investors were non-Minnesotans whose investments made up about 53 percent of all investment tha...

USDA to offer $16B in funds for farmers

Monday, June 10, 2019

The USDA will offer more than $16 billion in programs to help farmers impacted by trade disruption and “unjustified retaliation.” U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced that the USDA will take several actions to assist farmers with programs that estimate the “impacts of unjustified retaliatory tariffs on U.S. agricultural goods and other trade disruptions.” Click here to view the original article from the Litchfield Independent Review.

Rippleside students experience engineering

Sunday, June 09, 2019

For four weeks, Rippleside students experienced Club Invention’s “Flight Sight” program after school. The program was scheduled to run every Thursday for five weeks starting on April 4, but due to unfortunate weather happenings, was limited to four weeks total. Click here to view the original article from the Aitkin Independent Age.

Minnesota ranked third-best state in U.S. News & World Report survey

Saturday, June 08, 2019

The U.S. News & World Report survey ranks states based on 70 metrics, including education, health care, the economy, public safety, roads and the fiscal health of the state's government. As states go, it doesn’t get much better than Minnesota, according to an annual “Best States” survey by U.S. News & World Report. The Land of 10,000 Lakes came in at No. 3. The survey ranks states based on 70 metrics, including education, health care, the economy, public safety, roads and the fiscal health of the state’s government, as well as “the opportunity it affords its residents,” the report said. Click here t...

Minnesota teens savor best summer job market in years

Friday, June 07, 2019

They’ve noticed storefront windows flush with “hiring” signs. Their friends have jobs. And they say Google, that all-knowing oracle for teens, has been serving up a buffet of options from simple web searches. It means Joe Kinsman will fill his summer days dishing out soft serve at Conny’s Creamy Cone in St. Paul. Harshini Sunil will be whipping up drinks at Caribou Coffee in Plymouth and teaching dance. Cole Boelter will be wooing passersby with fuzzy llama prizes at Valleyfair game booths in Shakopee. Click here to view the original article from the Star Tribune.

Business Expansions Reflect State’s Diverse Economy

Thursday, June 06, 2019

Minnesota’s diverse economy is reflected in the 226 business expansion projects that were publicly announced in 2018 and tracked by DEED. These projects were spread across the state and involved companies of all sizes in more than 40 industries. While complete data is not available for all of the projects, these expansions represent at least 8,829 new jobs and 1,672 retained jobs. They also reflect new investment of at least $2.4 billion and over 7.5 million square feet. Click here to view the original article from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

DEED Names Director of CareerForce

Wednesday, June 05, 2019

The Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced that Lorrie Janatopoulos has been hired as Director of CareerForce. Led by a network of private, public and nonprofit partners throughout Minnesota, CareerForce guides people toward rewarding careers, connects individuals to employment opportunities, and provides valuable economic and employment development information to employers. Within DEED, the CareerForce team manages and executes the direct services efforts of our workforce development work, in contrast to our grant-making team that deploys capital to partners for workforce development. Click here to view the original article from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

Minnesota ranked as top five nonfuel mining state in the U.S.

Monday, June 03, 2019

Minnesota has been named a top five mining state for nonfuel mineral commodities for the year 2018, the Iron Mining Association of Minnesota (IMA) announced. The U.S. Geological Survey’s National Minerals Information Center ranked states by 2018 value of nonfuel mineral production, including iron ore and other commodities such as sand, gravel and stone. “Minnesota’s iron mining industry has been a national leader for generations, and we are thrilled to be recognized as a top mining state,” said Kelsey Johnson, IMA president. “Mining remains an essential component of our economy, and this ranking provides Minnesotans with one more reason to b...

Minnesota Exports up 1.5 percent in the First Quarter of 2019

Sunday, June 02, 2019

Exports to Europe grew 14 percent to $1.4 billion ST. PAUL – Minnesota exports grew to $5.4 billion, representing growth of 1.5 percent between the first quarters of 2018 and 2019, according to a report released by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). U.S. exports grew 1.4 percent during the same period. Minnesota exports grew to markets within Europe (up 14 percent) and North America (up 4 percent), but fell within Asia (down 8 percent) and Central and South America (down 1 percent). Click here to view the original article from Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

Minnesota manufacturing thrived last year despite long list of challenges

Sunday, June 02, 2019

Several of the state's largest manufacturers, such as General Mills, announced or closed major acquisitions, many of them ranking among their largest deals ever. A robust U.S. economy helped bolster overall sales for Minnesota’s manufacturers last year as they weathered a litany of challenges, such as a severe labor shortage, rising freight costs and the trade war with China. Manufacturing is Minnesota’s largest and most diverse sector on the Star Tribune 50, with expertise ranging from motor homes to ice cream bars. Several of Minnesota’s largest manufacturers in the past 12 to 18 months announced or closed major acquisitions, many of the...

Minnesota Exports up 1.5 percent in the First Quarter of 2019

Saturday, June 01, 2019

Nearly $1 million invested in nine area businesses

Saturday, June 01, 2019

The Northland Foundation's Business Finance Program has recently closed nine loans totaling $968,331. These investments will assist northeastern Minnesota businesses to start up or expand, as well as contribute to job growth. MNSTAR Technologies, Grand Rapids Rapids Brewing Company, Grand Rapids Northern Skin Rejuvenation, International Falls Block North, LLC, Aitkin CAST Corportation, Hibbing Hanzell Co. d.b.a. Cedarbrook Lumber Company, Aitkin Spirit of the Lake Community School, Duluth Pharmasea Breeze, LLC, Aitkin Wired2Fish, Inc., Grand Rapids Click here to view the original article from the Northland Foundation Newsletter.

Two local resorts sold as part of a six-part deal

Friday, May 31, 2019

Caribou Highlands in Lutsen and East Bay Suites in Grand Marais were two of six North Shore resorts owned by Odyssey Resorts that were sold to Blackburn Investment Managements private equity firm in Minneapolis, which is the primary owner, and Madison Hospitality Group (MHG), a management company based in Brainerd with experience managing hotels and resorts, and other investors who are minority owners. The sale of the properties was announced on Tuesday, May 28. Click here to view the original article from the Cook County News Herald.

Financing high-impact business projects

Thursday, May 30, 2019

One important way Great River Energy invests in the communities it serves is through incentive programs that enable business development. A new Business Expansion Loan Program is geared toward large, high-impact projects that bring in significant investments and create quality jobs. The program’s first loan of $500,000 to the Rice County Housing & Redevelopment Authority was just finalized. The financing will help build the necessary infrastructure for Daikin Applied to build a state-of-the-art production facility near Faribault, Minn. The new facility will be in the Met-Con Business Park north of Faribault and is served by Great River Energy’s member-owner Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric...

Growing demand for refrigerated warehouses to serve Minnesota’s food industry

Thursday, May 30, 2019

The United States remains among the world’s largest markets for refrigerated/frozen warehousing services, with 131 million cubic meters of cold storage warehouse capacity – second only to India – according to the 2018 GCCA Global Cold Storage Capacity Report. Together with China, these three nations account for 60 percent of the global total for cold storage space. And the industry continues to grow. The report showed that global cold storage capacity increased 2.7 percent since 2016, while trend data from the frozen food and pharmaceutical industries suggest this growth will continue for several years to come. Great River Energy’s economic development tea...

Minnesota exports rise to $5.4 billion despite trade war with China, others

Thursday, May 30, 2019

Medical and machine products remained the most in demand. Minnesota exports grew slightly during the first three months of the year despite a trade war that led to a 13% drop in shipments to China. A surge in exports to Mexico and Europe more than picked up the slack, state officials said. Click here to view the original article from the Star Tribune.

Minnesota holds potential for mass timber manufacturing

Thursday, May 30, 2019

A recent study highlights northern Minnesota’s strong commercial market, accessibility to supply chain and opportunities for economic impact, suggesting it as a uniquely positioned area to propel development of mass timber manufacturing. “The Economic Feasibility of Mass Timber Manufacturing in Minnesota” – commissioned by the Area Partnership for Economic Expansion (APEX) and sponsored by Great River Energy, the Blandin Foundation, the Minnesota Department of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation (IRRR), among others – also examined the state’s capacity to build a mass timber manufacturing facility in northern Minnesota. “The forest products industry in our region has always been strong,” said Brian Hanson...

Opportunity Zones: A powerful new investment incentive

Thursday, May 30, 2019

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 created a unique economic and community development initiative. The Opportunity Zone program aims to stimulate development in designated low-income urban and rural areas nationwide through a creative and powerful investment incentive. Through the program, private investors who sell property or stocks can defer or reduce their capital gains tax burden — or eliminate it altogether — by investing in a project in an Opportunity Zone. Under the new tax law, the longer the investment, the lower the burden. If a new investment is made by the end of 2019 and is held fo...

Projects with electric cooperative ties receive awards

Thursday, May 30, 2019

Two projects that Great River Energy and its member-owner cooperatives played a role in securing financing for, and a city that has found a niche with advanced manufacturing, food production and foreign direct investment, were recently recognized with awards. Minnesota Real Estate Journal, a statewide commercial real estate publication, recently handed out awards to companies, cities and local executives in recognition of their respective successful projectsand initiatives from the last year. Included among the award winners is Crystal Brook Senior Living Community, a 138,000-square-foot, 88-unit facility in Park Rapids, Minn., that was completed in October 2018. The facility was chosen as th...

L-P's siding segment continues to grow; overall net declines

Wednesday, May 29, 2019

For the first quarter of 2019, Louisiana Pacific reported net income of $27 million compared to $91 million for the first quarter of 2018. Net sales were $582 million, down from $691 million in the first quarter of 2018. The company’s sales of SmartSide, which is made in Two Harbors, Hayward and Tomahawk, increased 13 percent compared to the first quarter of 2018. The siding segment reported net sales of $236 million in the first quarter of 2019, an increase of $9 million from $227 million in the first quarter of 2018. For the first quarter of 2019, the Siding segment reported operatin...

DEED Tracked 226 Business Expansion Projects in 2018

Monday, May 27, 2019

They represent at least 8,829 new jobs and $2.4 billion in new investment ST. PAUL – Minnesota had 226 business expansion projects in 2018 – up from 187 the previous year, according to tracking by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), based on publicly announced expansions. While complete data is not available for all of the projects, these expansions represent at least 8,829 new jobs and 1,672 retained jobs. They also reflect new investment of at least $2.4 billion and over 7.5 million square feet. Click here to view the original article from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

Six Minnesota Businesses Awarded $1.5 Million from Job Creation Fund

Friday, May 24, 2019

ST. PAUL – Business expansion projects in four Greater Minnesota communities and two metro locations will create more than 200 new jobs over the next three years. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is supporting these projects with grants totaling $1.5 million from the Job Creation Fund. Click here to view the original article from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

Two federal agencies renew Twin Metals leases

Monday, May 20, 2019

Twin Metals Minnesota (TMM) is pleased that the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM), in consultation with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), has renewed TMM’s federal mineral leases, held in good standing for more than 50 years, the company said in a prepared statement. The leases cover land nine miles southeast of Ely, which TMM said is "one of the world’s largest untapped deposits of copper, nickel, and platinum group metals." It includes the area where TMM is preparing a proposal for an underground mine. Click here to view the original article from Business North.

Wadena among 3 Greater Minnesota cities awarded infrastructure grants

Monday, May 20, 2019

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development announced $1.69 million in infrastructure grants for projects in Greater Minnesota. The funding awarded from DEED's Greater Minnesota Business Development Public Infrastructure Grant Program was approved for the cities of North Branch, Spring Valley and Wadena. The three projects were funded during the first quarter of 2019 and are expected to create more than 2,800 full-time jobs. Click here to view the original article from the Brainerd Dispatch.

WorkForce Center in Wadena is now CareerForce

Sunday, May 19, 2019

The WorkForce Center in Wadena has changed its name to CareerForce. Throughout the state, Minnesota's WorkForce Centers are changing their name to CareerForce. Bringing all of Minnesota's workforce system partners under one brand seeks to enhance the services provided to career seekers, employers and communities. Click here to view the original article from the Wadena Pioneer Journal.

Redwood County EDA offering grant funding for local business development

Saturday, May 18, 2019

As 2018 was coming to an end, Briana Mumme, Redwood County economic development coordinator, recognized that there were going to be funds left over in the EDA budget. Mumme began talking with the EDA board to come up with an idea of how to best utilize that funding to enhance economic opportunities in the county. Click here to view the original article from the Redwood Falls Gazette.

EDA, Chamber learn how one city survived construction

Friday, May 17, 2019

"Own it!" That was the simple message St. Peter city administrator Todd Prafke told members of the New Prague Economic Development Authority and the New Prague Chamber of Commerce when the two held a joint meeting in the New Prague City Hall. The meeting was held to discuss ways to assist local businesses that will be affected by the 2020 Main Street Project, which will see a total reconstruction of Main Street next summer. The street will be torn up, underground utilities will be replaced and a new street and sidewalk will be put in place during the project, which will take plac...

Report reveals US manufacturing centres outside traditional hubs

Friday, May 17, 2019

A PhRMA report outlined the benefits that are brought to the US economy by the biopharmaceutical manufacturing industry, including revealing where the majority of facilities are located. Click here to view the original article from BioPharma Reporter.

Spirits in the winery: Chankaska opens Distilled Spirits Room

Thursday, May 16, 2019

KASOTA — Founded on its vineyard and wines, Chankaska Creek Ranch & Winery has steadily grown its line of distilled spirits. Chankaska opened the doors to its new Distilled Spirits Room. Click here to view the original article from The Free Press.

MSU expands engineering program nationwide

Wednesday, May 15, 2019

'Bell Program' to target community college grads across U.S. MANKATO — A year after its Iron Range Engineering program was recognized as one of the world's most innovative, Minnesota State University is preparing to expand the concept to a national audience. "The Bell Program" is aimed at community college students looking to earn a bachelor's of science in engineering from MSU without leaving their home community. The students will be doing their academic work while learning real-world engineering skills in a cooperative arrangement with businesses throughout the United States. Click here to view the original article from The Free Press.

Locals complete Blandin program

Tuesday, May 14, 2019

Twenty-four residents of the Aitkin area returned March 29 from a five-day leadership retreat, the first segment of an intense eight-day training provided by the Blandin Community Leadership Program (BCLP). The team also will participate in three follow-up workshops. A program of the Grand Rapids-based Blandin Foundation, BCLP has provided experiential leadership training for more than 7,000 community leaders from nearly 500 rural Minnesota communities since it began in 1985. This is the seventh time the community has participated in the BCLP leadership program. Click here to view the original article from the Aitkin Independent Age.

Enticing Businesses to Stay

Monday, May 13, 2019

Trying to attract businesses from outside the community or launching startup businesses are key economic development activities. However, economic developers generally agree that the most practical strategy for growth is Business Retention and Expansion, or keeping established businesses in the community. Enticing Businesses to Stay, co-authored by Michael Darger, University of Minnesota Extension, and Cameron Macht, DEED, looks at results from DEED’s Business Employment Dynamics dataset and provides insights and examples from ongoing business retention and expansion projects in Barnesville, near Fargo-Moorhead, and Cottage Grove, metro area. Click here to view the original article from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

DEED Names Deputy Commissioner for Workforce Development

Sunday, May 12, 2019

Recently appointed Assistant Commissioner of Economic Opportunity Hamse Warfa has been promoted to Deputy Commissioner for Workforce Development here at DEED. In this role, Warfa will continue to lead the Office of Economic Opportunity, and will also take on leadership of Employment and Training Programs, CareerForce, and the Governor’s Workforce Development Board. Warfa’s experience in the philanthropic/nonprofit and private sectors has helped him bring great thinking to DEED’s workforce efforts. After interviewing dozens of candidates for our commissioner-level roles in workforce development, I’m confident that Hamse is the right leader for these efforts. Click here to view the original article from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

PFA Awards Over $28 million in Water Infrastructure projects

Saturday, May 11, 2019

ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (PFA) approved $28.35 million in loan and grant funding for water infrastructure projects in Minnesota. Funding was approved for Crystal Bay Township, Fertile, Glencoe, Glenwood and Rice County. “I’m working hard to rebuild infrastructure in every corner of our state,” said Governor Walz. “I’m excited that $28 million dollars will be going directly to these greater Minnesota communities to help improve their water quality. Everyone in Minnesota deserves clean drinking water–regardless of their zip code.” Click here to view the original article from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

CRYSTAL BROOK NAMED PROGRESS MN HONOREE

Friday, May 10, 2019

Knute Nelson and Innovative Builders Inc. has been selected by Finance & Commerce as a 2019 Progress Minnesota award nominee in the nonprofit organization category for their development of Crystal Brook Senior Living in Park Rapids, MN. The awards, now in their eighth year, recognize those individuals and companies who are driving business and industrial growth and economic development in Minnesota in unique ways. Click here to view the original article from the Knute Nelson website.

Daikin Applied, Crystal Brook Senior Living projects win MREJ awards

Thursday, May 09, 2019

Construction of the Crystal Brook Senior Living project, a 138,000 sq. ft. 88-unit facility in Park Rapids, Minnesota, was completed October 25, 2018. The facility was constructed by KI Developers, a venture between non-profit Knute Nelson and Innovative Companies, Inc. of Alexandria. Pope Architects also worked on the project. Click here to view the original article from the Minnesota Real Estate Journal.

Grand Marais listed as one of the top 10 Great Active Outdoor Towns

Wednesday, May 08, 2019

In April North Outdoors (northoutdoors.com) announced its 2019 list of 10 Great Active Outdoor Towns in the North, and Grand Marais was on the list. North Outdoors’ annual Top 10 list recognizes towns that embrace and embody the northern outdoors scene. Recognized towns tend to feature an abundance of active pursuits such as hiking, paddling, cycling, and exploring, combined with a community that creates a sense of place with restaurants and retail. Click here to view the original article from the Cook County News Herald.

Grand Portage Tribal Council receives grant

Tuesday, May 07, 2019

Grand Portage Tribal Council received a $25,000 grant to support intergenerational youth programming in Grand Portage from the Northland Foundation. Between January 1 and March 30, the Northland Foundation awarded two dozen grants totaling nearly a quarter million dollars to nonprofit organizations, schools, and Tribal Nations within the region bounded by Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake and St. Louis counties. Click here to view the original article from the Cook County News Herald.

Twin Cities region leads population growth in Minnesota

Monday, May 06, 2019

Across Minnesota’s regions, the Twin Cities has seen the greatest population growth since 2010. Across Minnesota’s counties, Carver and Scott have posted the greatest percentage growth in population, at more than 13% over the last 8 years. See more data on population change in Minnesota. Click here to view the original article from Minnesota Compass.

Business Energy Retrofit program strengthens region’s agricultural economy

Friday, May 03, 2019

Lutsen-based Sawtooth Mountain Maple Syrup Company utilized a Business Energy Retrofit (BER) grant to help pay for equipment modernization, including a new evaporator, sugar house lighting, and a reverse osmosis room heating system. The enhancements improved maple syrup processing time by 50%, cut fuel consumption in half, reduced fuel emissions, and lessened the environmental impact of daily operations. Click here to view the original newsletter from The Ranger.

City's new Business Development Director will lead economic recovery program

Thursday, May 02, 2019

ST. CLOUD — The city of St. Cloud has hired a Business Development Director after it was granted federal funding to assist in retaining jobs and growing businesses following Electrolux's closure announcement. Jennifer Erickson started her new position and will facilitate a two-year economic recovery coordinator program. Click here to view the original article from the St. Cloud Times.

Home building created nearly 2,000 jobs and a $235 million local impact in 2018

Wednesday, May 01, 2019

ST. CLOUD — Residential building in the St. Cloud area created nearly 2,000 jobs worth more than $235 million last year, according to the Central Minnesota Builders Association. A total of 1,067 units were permitted in the St. Cloud area in 2018, up nearly one third compared to the previous year. The 2018 total unit count includes 443 single-family detached units, 42 attached single-family units and 582 multi-family units. Click here to view the original article from the St. Cloud Times.

HVAC Manufacturer Daikin Announces Second Expansion in Six Months

Tuesday, April 30, 2019

The company, a subsidiary of Japanese company Daikin Industries, will lease new office space in Plymouth, adding to the 132 new jobs expected to be generated by a planned $40.3 million Faribault facility project. Daikin Applied Americas’ recent growth spurt doesn’t seem to be cooling down. Less than six months after launching a $40.3 million expansion project in Faribault, the air conditioning and heating systems maker is now planning to expand in its headquarters town of Plymouth. A subsidiary of Japanese parent company Daikin Industries Ltd., Daikin Applied is leasing new office space at the Atria building at 3033 Campus Drive. Click her...

Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce honors women leaders

Monday, April 29, 2019

Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce has announced its winners of the ninth annual Women’s Leadership Forum Women of Excellence Awards. Cindy Haas of Gateway Bank, Jennifer Crowder of GR Promotions, and Tami Phillippi of Frame MN are this year’s winners. Click here to view the original article from Sun This Week.

Challenges for Growth - Progress 2019 - A Closer Look

Saturday, April 27, 2019

At the heart of economic development is developing opportunities that meet the challenges of the community,” Aitkin County Growth (ACG) Executive Director Barb Carr explained. Since its establishment more than 30 years ago, the non-profit organization has assisted approximately 100 entrepreneurs in launching business endeavors in the area –a number of which have grown to be successful. Click here to view the original article from the Aitkin Independent Age.

Gaining traction at FLOE - Progress 2019 - A Closer Look

Friday, April 26, 2019

Progress. A company doesn’t thrive for 36 years without it. FLOE International, based out of McGregor, is a prime example. The company was literally built from the ground up by founder and CEO Wayne Floe. He continues to drive the company forward as a visionary entrepreneur who focuses on progress, innovation and operating with efficiency. FLOE International was conceived in 1983 when the 19-year-old Floe envisioned a better way to make boat lifts. Floe designed and marketed his first boat lift, unique in the fact that it allowed a boat to be driven up and out of the water. From there...

Best and worst states for women

Thursday, April 25, 2019

In 2019, women in some parts of America still get the short end of the stick — even as they outnumber men in most states. For instance, women represent nearly two-thirds of all minimum-wage workers in the U.S. Their political representation also suffers, as women make up 51% of the U.S. population but only 25% of the Senate and 23.4% of the House of Representatives. And the prevalence of sexual harassment remains a prominent issue in 2019’s political landscape. In order to determine how women are faring and where they can find the best opportunities relative to where they live, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the Distric...

MSP named best airport in North America for 3rd year in a row

Wednesday, April 24, 2019

It shared the honor this year with Detroit. Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport continues to fly high atop the rankings for the best airports in the world. The Twin Cities travel hub was named the best airport in North America for its size for the third year in a row by Airports Council International (ACI). Click here to view the original article from Bring Me The News.

Building up gender diversity

Tuesday, April 23, 2019

If enrollment growth at Dunwoody College of Technology is a good tape measure, women are poised to made big strides in Minnesota’s construction industry. Women currently make up about 18 percent of all students in the school’s popular construction management program, up from just 2 percent a decade ago, said Heather Gay, who has taught at Dunwoody since 2008. Click here to view the original article from Finance & Commerce.

Budget for One Minnesota: Minnesota Innovation Collaborative

Monday, April 22, 2019

States and cities that create attractive environments for startups, entrepreneurs, and innovative talent are quickly distancing their economies from those who do not. For every one job created in the innovation sector, five more jobs are created in adjacent sectors – the strongest network effect in job growth today. Minnesota must put our economy on the cutting edge of this ecosystem by making strategic investments in our innovation ecosystem. The proposed Minnesota Innovation Collaborative (MIC) contains a series of initiatives focused on growing Minnesota’s innovation economy by accelerating the growth of our startup ecosystem and attracting top technology talent to the state. Comprise...

DEED names Assistant Commissioner for Economic Opportunity

Saturday, April 20, 2019

Will lead strategic, department-wide efforts to address economic disparities ST. PAUL - The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced that Hamse Warfa has been named Assistant Commissioner for Economic Opportunity. This external-facing role will work with stakeholder groups, DEED partners, and local officials and boards across the state to advance economic equity in our State and amplify DEED programs that target under-invested and under-capitalized communities of color. Additionally, the position will work internally with DEED's senior leadership team to bring a lens of equity into the agency and champion department-specific objectives against priorities for economic equity. Click here to view the origina...

API Outsourcing expanding its Robotic Process Automation at Two Harbors location

Friday, April 19, 2019

API Outsourcing, Inc. provides its customers with Robotics Process Automation (RPA) technology that offers simple and secure solutions to automate accounts payable and accounts receivable processes. Centreviews, the technology recently developed and branded by API, poises the company for significant growth. The cloud-based application involves software robots and artificial intelligence, and customers can implement it without making capital investments. “RPA is now vital in accounting and other back office departments,” said Gary Halleen, API CEO. “As companies grow, daily operations become more labor-intensive. Our new RPA product helps organizations process and manage invoices, payments and other documents in a secure an...

Minnesota briefs: State ripe for mass timber manufacturer, study finds

Thursday, April 18, 2019

Minnesota has the capacity to launch mass timber manufacturing, according to a new study by the Bureau of Business and Economic Research and the Center for Economic Development at the University of Minnesota’s Duluth campus. The study considered the feasibility of introducing mass timber manufacturing to the state of Minnesota and/or Minnesota’s Arrowhead region, according to the Minnesota Department of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation. Researchers specifically analyzed the market for cross-laminated timber (CLT), which is a manufactured wood product in wide use in Europe. Click here to view the original article from the Star Tribune.

Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation (IRRR) is a big supporter of Cook County

Wednesday, April 17, 2019

For many years, Cook County has benefited from the generous support and partnership of the MN Department of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation (IRRR). Since July 2014, Cook County projects have received over $3 million in grants and loans from the IRRR. Projects of the following entities have benefitted from the support of the IRRR. These projects help to diversify the economy, improve the quality of life, create employment opportunities and increase the tax base of Cook County and the IRRR service area. Click here to view the original article from the Cook County News Herald.

Arrowhead Cooperative installs electric car chargers

Tuesday, April 16, 2019

It’s not exactly the Flintstones meeting the Jetsons, but Cook County just got a bit more modern with the installation of electric vehicle chargers. Arrowhead Cooperative member owners who own battery powered vehicles, or hybrid vehicles, now have three places they can charge those autos in the county, with more to come in the near future. Click here to view the original article from the Cook County News Herald.

Minnesota exports jump to record $23 billion in 2018

Monday, April 15, 2019

Canada and China lead in export gains ST. PAUL – Minnesota exports of goods grew 10 percent between 2017 and 2018, reaching a record high of $23 billion, according to a report released by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). U.S. exports grew 8 percent during the same period. Minnesota’s solid export performance led to the state’s ranking rising to 20th highest in exports among all states in 2018, up from 23rd last year. Export growth was strong, even within an environment of continued uncertainty created by changing trade policies in the U.S. and trading partners. Click here to view the origina...

Greater FF receives Otto Bremer Trust

Friday, April 12, 2019

The Greater Fergus Falls Corporation has recently been awarded $50,000 from the Otto Bremer Trust (OBT) to support economic development through new and expanded businesses in Fergus Falls. "We are incredibly grateful to OBT for believing in our mission and awarding this grant," GFFC Executive Chairman Bruce Thom said in a press release. "These funds will expand our efforts in reaching our goal of bringing in 20 new or expanded businesses by 2020. We look forward to the impact this funding will have on our community." Click here to view the original article from the The Daily Journal.

Study: Minnesota is No. 3 in the nation for life expectancy

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

The results are based on average life expectancies over a 6-year period. A person born and raised in Minnesota can expect to live 5.5 years longer on average than someone born in Mississippi. That's according to 24/7 Wall Street, which ranked each state after analyzing life expectancy data between 2010-2015 from the National Association of Public Health Statistics and Information Systems and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Click here to view the original article from the Bring Me The News.

Three Greater Minnesota cities awarded infrastructure grants

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Funding will support infrastructure improvements in North Branch, Spring Valley, and Wadena ST. PAUL – Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced $1.69 million in infrastructure grants for projects in Greater Minnesota. The funding awarded from DEED’s Greater Minnesota Business Development Public Infrastructure Grant Program (BDPI) was approved for the cities of North Branch, Spring Valley, and Wadena. The three projects were all funded during the first quarter of 2019 and are expected to create more than 2,800 full-time jobs. Click here to view the original article from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

Q & A: New DEED leader talks budget, workforce

Tuesday, April 09, 2019

Minnesota’s new economic point person is bringing a tech executive’s love for innovation to the role. Northfield native Steve Grove, commissioner of the Department of Employment and Economic Development, has spent the past 12 years as a senior leader at YouTube and Google, most recently leading a team focused on innovations in journalism. A Minnesota native, he moved back to the state in April 2018 with his wife, Mary, a San Diego native (“This is definitely her first Minnesota winter,” Grove says) and 2-year-old twins. Click here to view the original article from Finance & Commerce.

Minnesota Innovation Collaborative

Monday, April 08, 2019

The Minnesota Innovation Collaborative will support a series of new initiatives designed to accelerate the growth of startups and innovative companies. Each initiative is uniquely designed to lower the risk required to fund, start, or grow a venture-backed startup in Minnesota. The MIC will bring all of these initiatives together under a new office that acts as a touchstone for the state to support and enhance our visibility and interest in the innovation ecosystem. Click here to view the original article from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

Expo gets youth to think about careers; employers, the next-gen workforce

Monday, April 01, 2019

An HR executive, truck loader, court reporter and physical therapist will be among 25 Minnesota professionals who are blind, DeafBlind, or low-vision networking with blind students at the 2019 Career Expo sponsored by State Services for the Blind. The Expo highlights the diversity of career paths for job seekers who are blind. This free event, focused on high school and undergraduate students, will be held Sat., April 27 at Minnesota Department of Education, 1500 Highway 36 West, Roseville, Conference Center B. Click here to view the original article from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

MPMA Education Foundation offering scholarships

Monday, April 01, 2019

The MPMA Education Foundation is offering scholarships in amounts ranging from $500 - $1,000 to help motivated students with an interest in manufacturing get the training they need to become successful in the field. Applications must be submitted by April 15, and the form can be filled out online or downloaded on the Education Foundation page at www.mpma.com. Click here to view the original article from the Fergus Falls Daily Journal.

American manufacturing companies have a spring in their step

Thursday, March 28, 2019

Foxconn's latest reversal suggests manufacturing is undergoing a revival, especially among agile smaller firms and those using advanced techniques. When Taiwanese giant Foxconn announced plans to build a massive factory for high-end televisions in 2017, many cheered, including President Donald Trump. Electronics manufacturers had long ago abandoned America for cheaper countries, especially China, so the investment seemed to mark a reversal, albeit one that came with a significant amount of subsidies. But what Foxconn will do in southeastern Wisconsin is now in question. The company has discovered that it is hard to get thousands of Midwesterners to work long hours at stressfu...

Walz Budget Plan includes restoration of Angel Tax Credit Program

Tuesday, March 26, 2019

The Medical Alley Tech Association lauds the move, noting that the Angel Investment Tax Credit generated at least $108 million in investment in the state’s health tech industry over a five-year period. In Governor Tim Walz’s two-year, nearly $50 billion budget plan, heavy emphasis was placed on funding education, roads, and health care. However, Walz also served up support for the startup community with a proposal to restore the state’s Angel Investment Tax Credit (AITC) program. The tax credit was a state-sponsored rewards program for investors who take high-risk bets on technology-focused products, entrepreneurs or startups. It provided investors or investment funds wit...

Tax credits proposed to spur business investments in Minnesota

Friday, March 22, 2019

Gov. Tim Walz, legislators want to reinstate the angel tax credit program. State lawmakers and Gov. Tim Walz want to replenish funding for a lapsed program that gave tens of millions in tax breaks to investors who helped start businesses in Minnesota. The state could spend up to $20 million a year on investors who support startups, under a proposal in the Legislature. Walz did not commit to an exact amount but told members of the TwinWest Chamber of Commerce that the tax credits will be part of the budget he unveils. Click here to view the original article from the Star Tribune.

University of Minnesota launches startup incubator to aid new ventures based on university research

Thursday, March 21, 2019

The University of Minnesota announced the launch of a startup incubator to support companies that are spun out of research undertaken at the university. The "Discovery Launchpad" program was developed by the university's Venture Center to support researchers who want to bring new technology to market. It's currently working with eight startups and plans to graduate eight from the program this fiscal year. Click here to view the original article from the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.

Budget for One Minnesota: Child Care Investment and Integrity

Tuesday, March 19, 2019

For many Minnesota families, child care is a necessity, yet a growing number of Minnesotans can’t access it – it just doesn’t exist. The number of licensed family childcare providers has decreased almost 30 percent in Minnesota since 2005, according to the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Census data from 2014 show that about 310,000 children in Minnesota ages 0-5 have both parents or guardians in the workforce and likely need some form of child care. Lack of affordable, quality child care is a significant barrier to workforce participation that can negatively affect job and wealth creation, business expansion and retention...

MLEC welcomes Sarah Cron

Monday, March 18, 2019

Sarah Cron replaces Brian Zelenak, who left Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative in mid-November. Cron comes to MLEC from Two Harbors, where she was the marketing manager at Cooperative Light and Power for over 18 years. Cron and her husband love the outdoors and are excited to explore the Aitkin area. According to Board President, Harold Harms, “Sarah brings 19 years of cooperative senior management and sales/marketing experience to us. Sarah is active in the community and the cooperative community as well, having been on the board or committees for Great River Energy, MREA, Touchstone Energy, Leadership Duluth and more. The boar...

Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development report on the timber industry

Friday, March 15, 2019

It is not surprising that almost half of the state’s remaining employment in Forestry and Logging is located in the seven county Northeast Minnesota region, home to most of the state’s forest land. The Forestry and Logging sector is a vital part of the Forest Product Industry which also includes establishments and employment in two other NAICS codes: Wood Product Manufacturing and Paper Manufacturing. Despite long-term declines, these three sectors still combined for an average of 139 business establishments and 3,078 jobs in 2017 in Northeast Minnesota, accounting for 2.1 percent of total employment in the region. Click here to view th...

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