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Electric cooperatives do not operate in the way a traditional utility company functions. Energy cooperatives are member-owned organizations that provide energy services to their communities. They are focused on delivering affordable, reliable and sustainable energy to their communities.What do electric cooperatives do for members?Unlike traditional energy and utility companies, energy...
What is an energy cooperative?
Nov 13 2024Great River Energy is more than a power company. It’s an energy cooperative that provides affordable, steady rates, reliable service, and a cleaner power supply. But what exactly is an energy cooperative?What is a cooperative?Often referred to as a co-op, a cooperative is a business model where members own and...
In today's business landscape, one resource quietly underpins everything from data-driven decision-making to global logistics: electricity. Without sufficient power, even the most innovative industries can't thrive. For electric cooperatives, meeting the demands of growing businesses, especially in an era defined by artificial intelligence (AI), requires careful planning and strategic investment.But,...
A number of southern Minnesota farms and agricultural businesses were among 654 USDA Rural Development Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Renewable and Energy Efficiency Program awardees announced Oct. 18.Southern Minnesota Projects funding include a $120,721 project at Boerboom Ag Resources, LCC, near Marshall and Vesta includes purchase and installation...
With snow now in Minnesota's forecast, the winter sports season can't be too far behind. Here's a look at Minnesota's largest ski resorts along with the stats you need to decide where to go.Though Minnesota is not known for being particularly mountainous, there are still plenty of ski areas with...
In the International Journal of Managerial Studies and Research, James Siambi wrote, “During times of transition, strategic leadership succession planning, in conjunction with leadership development policies, provides an organization with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to retain its best and brightest employees, leaders, and talent.” Washington County, Minnesota is capitalizing on this...
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service announced it is making up to $34 million in funding available to support innovation and jobs in the forestry sector while supporting healthy forest landscapes. The agency is seeking proposals that will spark innovation, create new markets for sustainable wood products and renewable...
DEED Launches Final Grant Round for Main Street Economic Revitalization Program Remaining Funds
Oct 21 2024The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) just launched a third and final round of Main Street Economic Revitalization Program funding to award the remaining $4.68 million balance of the $80 million program. The program was approved by the Minnesota State Legislature and signed by Gov. Tim Walz...
Electric cooperatives and other rural utilities won substantial funding to better protect their systems against extreme weather, meet growing demand and lower costs for consumers under a new $2 billion round of a major Department of Energy program.The funding will be provided through the DOE’s $10.5 billion Grid Resilience and...
Minnesota has long been a pioneer in the cooperative movement, with over 800 cooperatives serving more than 3 million member-owners across the state. The roots of National Cooperative Month stretch back to 1948 when Minnesota Gov. Luther Youngdahl signed the first proclamation, and the celebration became national in 1964. Today,...
Minnesota employers added 6,300 jobs in September according to data from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The state's unemployment rate increased slightly to 3.4%, which is lower than the national rate of 4.1%. And Minnesota's labor force participation rate held steady for the third month in...
Minnesota’s electric cooperatives have been awarded more than $22 million in Round 10 of the Border-to-Border Broadband Development Grant Program, administered by the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). These grants will allow cooperatives to extend affordable, reliable broadband services to underserved and unserved areas across the state, facilitating...
The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) has unveiled a new $5 million funding opportunity aimed at supporting capacity-building and non-construction projects in Indigenous communities. This new tribally focused initiative, part of an Oct. 1 update to the Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Program (PWEAA), expands on the success of the...
Press Release: USDA Invests $1.4 Million in Clean Energy to Lower Energy Costs and Create Jobs
Oct 3 2024U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Minnesota Colleen Landkamer announced today that USDA is partnering with farmers and small businesses to expand access to clean energy and lower energy bills through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).“As drivers of our economy, farmers and rural business...
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today issued a USDA proclamation to recognize October 2024 as the Department’s 60th anniversary of National Cooperative Month.Since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA has invested more than $17 billion in loans and grants to spur economic development, catalyze rural prosperity...
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy expects the company to remain the world's largest renewable energy-buying company for "several years to come," he said Thursday.Why it matters: His comments signal that tech's outsized influence on green energy adoption will remain intact as AI reshapes demand for electricity and resources.The remarks came during...
Local farm-fresh meat is becoming easier to access in Milaca with the construction and planned opening of its newest meat-processing facility and retail store.The full-service Milaca Meats will provide locally raised meat from processing to smoking to retail all under one roof once its doors open, with the retail side...
If you’re in the food manufacturing business, you’ve probably been hearing a lot about cold storage over the last few years. It’s not just a trend. Cold storage is rapidly becoming a critical component of the industrial real estate landscape. The pandemic has only accelerated this shift, highlighting the essential...
Cook County is set to receive a substantial $1 million grant from DEED, a significant boost for the community. This grant will be utilized for two key projects: development of a strategic plan for the transition of the former Taconite Harbor Energy Center located in Schroeder Township; and land acquisition,...
Minnesota employers added 14,400 jobs in August, the largest monthly increase in jobs since July 2022, according to data from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).Over the month, employment grew by 0.5% in Minnesota, far faster than the national rate of 0.1%. Minnesota's unemployment rate increased slightly...
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport won top honors for passenger satisfaction among the nation’s largest airports, according to a survey released Wednesday by the global consulting firm J.D. Power.MSP regained supremacy in the “mega” category with more than 33 million annual passengers, handily beating Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, which came...
Echo Press: Runestone Electric Association board awards several grants to community programs
Sep 18 2024The Runestone Electric Association’s Operation Round Up Trust Board approved $11,814 to go toward assisting local community programs during its recent quarterly meeting. The funds were available thanks to contributions from REA’s participating members.The Runestone Electric Association’s Operation Round Up Trust Board is a voluntary board made up of seven...
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced 31 cities, townships and counties across Greater Minnesota will receive nearly $21 million in Small Cities Development Program (SCDP) grants. The funding will be used for commercial and residential property rehabilitation, public facility improvements and other economic development projects."DEED's Small...
Business North: Entrepreneur Fund receives $9 million from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott
Sep 17 2024The Entrepreneur Fund (EFund) has received an extraordinary $9 million unrestricted gift from Yield Giving, an organization established by billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. This investment will allow EFund to further its mission of supporting small businesses and driving economic growth in underserved communities across Minnesota and Wisconsin, the Duluth-based group...
