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When the 2023 Minnesota legislative session ended in May, it offered the potential to be one of the most meaningful in memory. Faced with a state record surplus of $17.5 billion, the Minnesota House and Senate agreed on a two-year state budget totaling approximately $70 billion that will reach all...
Greater Fergus Falls has a newly-created endowment fund to further support its economic development work for the city.“Greater Fergus Falls is a public-private partnership, now five years old, and has enjoyed great success in building our local economy,” said board chair Andrew Yaggie. “We are tremendously grateful to our many...
“How do electric cooperatives support their members in ways that publicly-owned electric companies don’t?” That’s an understandable question since, from the outside, a cooperative and publicly-owned electric company provides the same basic service: - electricity. While it is true that the core of our business is providing reliable energy to...
“How can an electric cooperative help my business beyond providing electricity?” Electric cooperatives, like Great River Energy, help businesses in various ways, including:
Keeping Electricity Rates Affordable: Because we are member-owned, Great River Energy offers competitive and predictable electricity rates, enabling businesses to manage their operational costs more...
The Board of Directors of Greater Fergus Falls (GFF) is proud to announce that Ryan Tungseth has been named interim executive director of GFF. Tungseth, a serial entrepreneur, small business owner and business coach, has extensive experience in business development and management and has served as a consultant for GFF’s...
What Do Electric Cooperatives Do?
Aug 9 2023What do electric cooperatives do differently from a traditional electric company? Electric cooperatives generate, distribute, and supply electricity to their members, the owners. That’s the biggest difference. Electric cooperatives are owned by members, not by shareholders. As a result, any programs that a cooperative like Great River Energy implements are...
What Is A Cooperative?
Aug 2 2023People often ask us, “What is a cooperative?” For those unfamiliar with a public or privately-owned company versus a cooperative, it’s important to understand that a cooperative is member-owned. Great River Energy is owned by our members, not investors, shareholders, or individuals.
What is a cooperative, and how can...
Energy News Network: Minnesota utilities work to ease path for Northland transmission line
Jul 31 2023The third powerline was the last straw for Marla Britton.Her and her husband’s 40-acre farm near Brainerd, Minnesota, is already framed by electrical wires on the east and south. When she learned of plans for a new project running along the north end of her property, she took action.Click here...
Energy News Network: Northland transmission line to boost reliability as renewables replace power plants
Jul 31 2023Large cross-country transmission lines carrying clean energy from remote rural areas to population centers will be a key strategy for reducing emissions.But as a project in Minnesota illustrates, the grid puzzle is more complicated than that.Connecting central and northern Minnesota, the Northland Reliability Project will reinforce the state’s electric grid...
Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal: Boston Scientific plans new campus in Maple Grove
Jul 26 2023Boston Scientific Corp. plans to expand in Maple Grove with a 400,000-square-foot campus that will add at least 150 jobs to the med-tech manufacturer's already sizable presence in the Twin Cities suburb.Click here to view the original article from Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.
Heliene Inc., a Canadian maker of solar panels that established a manufacturing plant on Minnesota's Iron Range in 2019, is looking to expand its presence with a $140 million plant in the Twin Cities.Click here to view the original article from The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.
Governor Tim Walz will lead a trade mission to Australia, November 10-18, 2023. Stops include the major business centers of Sydney and Melbourne, with mission goals of growing the state's exports of goods and services, showcasing Minnesota as a top destination for business investment, developing new partnership opportunities, and strengthening...
At a critical moment, Minnesota's economic development efforts have a new leader.Matt Varilek will lead the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) as employers are dealing with crisis-level labor shortages,Click here to view the original article from the Star Tribune.
Boston Scientific is planning a 400,000-square-foot facility on a 40-acre site of a former gravel mining area. The new facility will not be adjacent to Boston Scientific’s existing Maple Grove campus.Medical device maker Boston Scientific is planning a new, $170 million campus in Maple Grove, where it already has significant...
MinnPost: Minnesota set for $652 million broadband windfall from federal infrastructure bill
Jul 25 2023Ever since Congress passed a $1.2 trillion infrastructure package in 2021, Minnesota officials have expected a windfall of cash to help subsidize the construction of high-speed internet infrastructure in rural areas.
On Monday, the White House announced exactly how much Minnesota will get: $651,839,368.20.
Click here to view...
MSP Business Journals: American manufacturing might be hitting a 'supercycle' as spending skyrockets
Jul 25 2023Manufacturing construction is skyrocketing as foreign investors flock to the United States to rebuild broken supply chains.
Click here to view the original article from the MSP Business Journals.
Boston Scientific is the mystery company behind an ambitious plan to build a $170 million facility in Maple Grove, a project that will significantly expand the medical technology company’s presence in the city and create more than 175 new jobs.The proposed expansion, which has been going through the city approval...
Minnesota's labor force growth continues to accelerate with more than 9,000 people entering the labor market in June – the fourth month in a row with positive growth and the largest monthly gain in three years.With 9,017 new people in the job market, Minnesota's labor force participation rate increased two-tenths...
Talon Metals Corporation's Tamarack nickel-copper-cobalt project keeps growing.Company officials in July announced its drill teams hit a new area of semi-massive nickel sulphide in a part of what's called the Tamarack Intrusive Complex.Click here to view the original article from the Business North.
Golden Shovel Agency: Economic Development Strategies for Attracting Businesses to Rural Areas
Jul 17 2023Rural areas offer unique opportunities for businesses to thrive, with lower operating costs, access to natural resources, and a strong sense of community. However, attracting businesses to rural areas can be a challenge for many economic developers. Here are some strategies to get you started.Click here to view the original...
Part showroom, part builder “playroom,” part R&D site for an international corporation and part portal linking university researchers and industry manufacturers – the new LP Innovation Center at the Natural Resources Research Institute shoulders a lot of roles.The center, opened June 21 with a flourish and a room full of...
As part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Business-Cooperative Service Administrator Dr. Karama Neal today announced that USDA is making $21 million in technical assistance grants available through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses...
Things are happening across Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative’s service territory. Last month, the McGregor Fire Department unveiled its new fire hall to the community during an open house event.At the same time, Garrison Bay Resort has broken ground and began construction on its 22 camping spot expansion. The project will...
Minnesota ranks No. 5 among 'America's Top States for Business.
Click here to view the original article from CNBC.
