In the News

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...Continue Reading

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...Continue Reading

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...Continue Reading

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...Continue Reading

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,...Continue Reading

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...Continue Reading

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...Continue Reading

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...Continue Reading

The 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...Continue Reading

The 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...Continue Reading

Governor Tim Walz today announced that Minnesota exports of goods surged to $7.1 billion in the second quarter of 2024, a 17% increase over the same period in 2023. Minnesota's export growth topped the national rate (5%) for the quarter and was stronger than all but eight other states."Minnesota's rapid...Continue Reading

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced $552,820 in Launch Minnesota Business Operation Innovation Grants to 21 Minnesota startups that have created innovative technology solutions; 76% of the grantees are startups led by entrepreneurs of color, veterans, women or persons with disabilities or are located in Greater...Continue Reading

Collaborative EcosystemsAs concerns over climate change and resource scarcity intensify, Eco-Industrial Parks (EIPs) are emerging as a noteworthy tool for promoting sustainable economic growth, while minimizing environmental impact. The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) defines an EIP as [a community of businesses located on common property, seeking enhanced environmental,...Continue Reading

Site readiness programs have significantly evolved over the decades, influenced by changing project demands and market trends.New York pioneered proactive site readiness with the Build Now New York program in the late 1990s. Initially, these programs centered on earning certifications, like a seal of approval — signaling credibility but varying...Continue Reading

Adam Hansen launched his own cabinetry business 20 years ago, when he was just 21 years old and had $1,500 to invest. In the intervening two decades, it steadily grew — initially from A-Cab Custom Woodworking (when it employed, well, him) to Hansen & Company Woodworks a few years ago,...Continue Reading

Governor Tim Walz and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) today announced more than $5 million for three business expansion projects in the state. The projects are expected to support 175 jobs and leverage $72 million in outside investment."We didn't achieve our ranking as a top state...Continue Reading

Federal funding is available to help preserve, expand, and upgrade local airport facilities. “From Runways to Revenue: Economic Benefits of Your Local Airport” provides key information and tips on how to secure this funding. Before downloading, here is an overview of what you need to know.Federal Funding for Airports: Part...Continue Reading

Two years ago, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act, the largest investment in climate action and clean energy in world history. Key to the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda, this transformative law is lowering energy costs, creating new income streams, and tackling the climate crisis. The Inflation Reduction...Continue Reading

The proliferation of data centers across America is helping to power the nation's increasing digital economy - but for some, it's coming at too high, or too unknown, of a cost. The data center boom isn't new, but the rate at which these projects are being planned, proposed, and built is...Continue Reading

The Environmental Protection Agency announced it has fully obligated the $27 billion allocated by the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) to 68 awardees across three grant programs. By officially obligating the funds, the Biden administration ensures that the commitments are irrevocable, even if there’s a shift in the White House...Continue Reading

A significant leap in energy technology was marked as Great River Energy and Form Energy broke ground on the first-of-its-kind 1.5 megawatt (MW) multi-day energy storage project in Cambridge, Minnesota.The Cambridge Energy Storage Project represents a groundbreaking partnership between Great River Energy and Form Energy, aimed at addressing one of...Continue Reading

On a remote Lake County gravel road between Babbitt and Isabella, a 62,000-pound truck lowered itself onto a steel plate and started vibrating, sending low-frequency energy waves into the ground.Ripples formed in a nearby pothole puddle and rocks surrounding the plate danced a few inches off the ground. Observers could...Continue Reading

Minnesota is one of the top five states in the country to move to, according to a new state study.The state was ranked at No. 4 by Consumer Affairs, a research and internet platform based in Tulsa, Oklahoma.Consumer Affairs measured factors such as affordability, economy, education and health, quality of...Continue Reading

The aerospace and defense (A&D) industry is undergoing a transformative period with significant federal funding shifts towards emerging markets. This article will examine the trends in federal funding, the rise of new A&D hubs, and the strategic considerations companies must navigate to capitalize on these opportunities.Trends in Federal FundingFederal funding...Continue Reading