News and Media in Benton

New 2021 Business Relief Fund: Deadline January 29, 2021

Friday, January 08, 2021

Benton County Commissioners approved a new round of funding to offset losses for qualifying businesses and nonprofits located in Benton County. Benton Economic Partnership (BEP) will handle the application process that closes January 29, 2021. It is the goal of BEP to provide economic support to those suffering from business interruptions due to COVID-19-related mandated closures. “BEP is committed to assisting the businesses in Benton County that have been so severely impacted by the Governor’s Executive Orders related to COVID-19,” said BEP Executive Director Amanda Othoudt. “Our community thrives on our small businesses employing our local workforce, creating tax base, an...

New BEP Executive Director has the Skills Needed to Focus Economic Success in Benton County, MN

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Since October, Executive Director Amanda Othoudt’s skills and experience have been delivering for Benton Economic Partnership (BEP). She hit the ground running administering CARES Act grants and making connections with the members of BEP. “Helping small businesses thrive in these unprecedented economic times’” is what energizes Othoudt most about her new job. “I enjoy working in this field because I feel accomplished by solving problems and connecting businesses with the right people, resources, and tools to achieve their business expansion goals,” Othoudt said. Othoudt most recently served as the Executive Director for the Economic Development Authority (EDA) and Housing and Redevelopment Authorit...

New financing tool for energy efficiency & renewable energy improvements

Tuesday, December 08, 2020

Is your businesses, farm, multi-family housing building, nonprofit, or place of worship interested in energy efficiency or adding renewable energy like solar? A new financing tool called Property Assessed Clean Energy, or PACE, can help you move forward. How does PACE work? PACE financing is repaid as an assessment on your property tax bill for a set period. In this way, PACE eliminates the burden of upfront costs by providing low-cost, long-term financing. PACE is different than a traditional loan: there is less of a reliance on credit, the assessment stays with the property instead of the owner, and they ca...

Recruiting and Retaining Today’s Manufacturing Workforce

Monday, December 07, 2020

AD: How has COVID-19 changed the employee experience in manufacturing, and what facets of this should organizations retain going forward? Zenk: Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, employees have been experiencing a drastically different work environment. Thousands of manufacturers across the U.S. and around the world were deemed essential during the pandemic, and their production lines haven’t stopped. They’ve continued to produce essential goods that the global community relies on — from the food we eat to the clothes we wear and cleaning supplies we use in our homes. As some manufacturers increased output and others reconfigured operations to satisfy urgent demands...

Front Line: Vocational Training Alliances in Tough Times

Friday, December 04, 2020

As if manufacturers are not challenged enough by COVID-19, many face shortages of appropriately skilled workers to keep their tech-savvy factories competitive. A 2018 report by Deloitte and the Manufacturing Instituteestimated the manufacturing industry would have as many as 2.4 million jobs to fill by 2028. Last year, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) reported in 3rd Quarter 2019 that the top concern among manufacturers was the inability to attract and retain a quality workforce. Stephen Gold, president/CEO of the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation (MAPI), recently wrote in IndustryWeek that the skills gap today isn’t so much about a lack of STE...

E-Commerce Growth Surge Sparks a Logistics Free-For-All

Thursday, December 03, 2020

E-commerce has exploded in recent years, but as COVID-19 emerged the sector has seen unprecedented growth. While many industries battled disruptions, e-commerce provides opportunity. E-commerce and logistics companies are accelerating planned innovation and restructuring initiatives to stay ahead of the curve — if that’s even possible — spurring the implementation of three to five years of advancements in a span of just five months to keep up. It’s akin to upgrading the jet while traveling at Mach speed. This significant growth in online sales shows no signs of slowing, with Deloitte forecasting e-commerce sales to increase by 25–35 percent year-over-year during this upcomin...

Cold Storage Is Hotter Than Ever

Wednesday, December 02, 2020

Our attitudes about food and beverage influence the brands we purchase, how we socialize, where we shop — and sometimes even where we live. Our expectations are high when it comes to product mix and availability. When our wants and needs are not met quickly, as was the case at the start of the pandemic, we are highly dissatisfied. While food transport has been occurring for centuries, modes of delivery, advances in food safety, and time-sensitive supply chains have evolved to meet the changing desires of consumers across increasingly broad geographies. Often, new trends become ingrained habits that can alter consume...

Central Minnesota business owners weigh in on how state relief package could help them best

Monday, November 30, 2020

Small business owners gave Minnesota House members feedback at a virtual town hall Monday night about how to help them do one thing: survive as the COVID-19 pandemic rages on. Most businesses have run through the loans and grant funding they've received, and the pandemic stretches on, said Rep. Mohamud Noor, vice chair of the House Jobs and Economic Development Finance Division. The Legislature is working though proposals for an economic relief package intended to move quickly and serve as a short-term patch as states and businesses await possible federal assistance, DFL House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler said. Read full article.

Opportunity for All?

Monday, November 30, 2020

They’re cities of dreams. They’re the nation’s glamor capitals. But they’re attracting the lion’s share of Opportunity Zone funds meant to spark the economies of neighborhoods struck more by poverty than by fame. Analysis published in September 2020 by tax break experts Novogradac found that investment in more than 800 Qualified Opportunity Funds (QOFs) tracked by the organization exceeded $12 billion, though the total amount in all QOFs was “undoubtedly more.” The White House Council of Economic Advisers put the total around $75 billion. But where are those funds targeted for action? “QOFs can focus on a national, regional, state or cit...

#GetTakeoutMN: Share Your Support for Minnesota Restaurants

Wednesday, November 25, 2020

St. Paul - As Minnesota takes necessary steps to battle COVID-19, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is encouraging Minnesotans to shop and eat local this holiday season. In particular, helping your favorite local restaurants and eateries by ordering takeout is a simple way to support vital, beloved local businesses while enjoying a delicious meal in your own home. It’s a great way to help these businesses weather the impacts of the pandemic. “The best way to help your local restaurants weather this time is by ordering takeout whenever you can,” said DEED Commissioner Steve Grove. “They need our support no...

Veterans Virtual Career Fair Resources Offer Valuable Job Search Information

Wednesday, November 25, 2020

The Minnesota Veterans Virtual Career Fair is over, but the resources offered and connections made through the online event are continuing to benefit current and former military members and their spouses, as well as Minnesota employers. Here's what we've heard from two participating employers, 3M and Andersen Windows and Doors, both gold sponsors of the event. “As a fellow veteran, and 3M hiring manager, it is wonderful to be part of a local event that encourages companies to highlight opportunities for veterans,” said Jennifer Loveland, Enterprise Operations Black Belt and member of 3M’s employee resource group. “At the same time, it creates a central place for veteran...

3M Partnership Deal Focuses On Cleaner Aircraft Interiors

Monday, November 23, 2020

In the wake of the pandemic’s effects on air travel, Maplewood-based 3M Co. has teamed up with California-based Safran Cabin to design and create safer and cleaner aircraft interiors. Safran Cabin produces jet cabin interiors with components including overhead bins, lavatories, galleys, and more. The company has 25 sites across the globe, operates in 10 countries and has more than 9,500 employees. 3M’s aerospace division already produces a range of adhesives, films, and sealants used in aircraft design. The company’s Transportation and Electronics business segment accounted for $9.6 billion in sales in 2019; that translated to 29.9 percent of the company’s tota...

How To Poise Your Business For Success (And Survival) In The Covid Economy

Monday, November 23, 2020

Business life in the era of Covid has elements of both crisis management and an endurance trial. How can your business join the ranks of those that are succeeding in this environment? LJ Suzuki, founder and fractional CFO at CFOshare and I recently dissected this question together, with an eye toward the actionable steps you should be taking now–and the potholes you need to avoid. Micah Solomon, Senior Contributor, Forbes; Customer Service Turnaround Expert and Consultant: It’s been several quarters since Covid began to make inroads into the economy; how are small businesses faring? LJ Suzuki, Founder and Fractional CFO at CFOshare: The small businesses within my purview have see...

Jobs in Demand: Assemblers and Fabricators

Monday, November 23, 2020

With over 320,000 jobs, Manufacturing is Minnesota’s 2nd largest-employing industry sector. One of the top-employing occupations in this industry happens to be assemblers and fabricators. In fact, according to DEED’s Occupational Employment Statistics data, there are over 31,700 assemblers and fabricators employed in the state. Such workers are employed in a wide variety of areas, including everything from transportation equipment manufacturing to computer and electronic product manufacturing to medical equipment and supplies manufacturing. Simply put, assemblers and fabricators assemble finished products and the parts that go into them. More specific tasks may include reading and interpreting schematics and blueprints, positioning or alignin...

Startups Key to Minnesota Post-Virus Economic Recovery

Monday, November 23, 2020

First, I’d just note that we gathered state leaders, partners and startups from across the state last week for a virtual event to celebrate the one-year anniversary of Launch Minnesota, a program designed to accelerate startups. You can find out more in Launch Minnesota’s First-Year Progress Report. I’d like to share a message I wrote – which appeared in the Star Tribune on Sunday – about the importance of our startup community to Minnesota’s economic recovery. To say that 2020 has been a challenging year for the Minnesota economy would be an understatement. In the first three months of the COVID-19 pandemic, we lost a stunning 385,000 jobs. We'v...

Minnesotans donate in record numbers to Give to the Max

Friday, November 20, 2020

Minnesotans donated a record $30.4 million to nonprofits and schools during the annual Give to the Max campaign, surpassing the previous record of nearly $22 million set in 2019. GiveMN Executive Director Jake Blumberg said donors gave money to more than 6,100 organizations, which is also a record. "What we were hoping donors would do and what we directly asked over and over again for donors to do was to expand their generosity this year," he said. Read full article.

6 Ways to Keep Your Employees Learning At Work

Thursday, November 12, 2020

No company can reach its business goals without a qualified and dedicated workforce. As new technologies emerge, on-job training programs have become increasingly useful to enhance both employees’ soft and practical skills. But learning at work can go beyond formal training. Businesses should get creative so that employees are constantly developing their skills. The Benefits of Ongoing Training While most companies invest in costly recruitment processes to attract the right candidates, their efforts on employee engagement and education often fall short. Without any type of incentives or supportive programs, it's easy for employees to feel overlooked and unappreciated after a while — and for companies’ growth to lag in turn. Read full article.

Follow these Steps to Prepare for Site Selector Requests for Benton County

Friday, October 30, 2020

Community leaders, property managers, and developers in Benton County, Minnesota should prepare for the opportunity to attract new manufacturing companies to the area as a result of the recent onshoring trend. Site selectors have been issuing requests for information as companies throughout the United States and the world look to protect their supply chain from future disruptions caused by pandemics like COVID-19 and the growing number of natural disasters. Those who prepare will have the opportunity to compete, and hopefully win, new business for their communities. What the Site Selectors Guild had to say about onshoring in 2020 and 2021 - “Guil...

A Guide to Aerospace Investment Decisions

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

The aerospace and defense (A&D) industry had a record year in 2019. Revenue passenger miles set a record, up 4.2 percent from 2018, and have been growing at roughly double GDP for the past two decades. Airbus’ and Boeing’s order backlogs ended 2019 at around 13,000 aircraft. The industry reported a record $780 billion in revenue — 5 percent over 2018. But in March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic plunged the industry into crisis, literally overnight, with air traffic decreasing about 90 percent as society shut down and stayed at home. Hopes for a quick recovery have been dashed by the persistence of transmissions, and many believ...

Five Common Ways To Fund A Small Business Beyond Personal Savings

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

One of the most cliched statements in starting a small business is that “it takes money to make money”... but it is often true. Many businesses need an infusion of cash to buy essential components of their operations. For a pizzeria, that could be an industrial oven, and for a yard care business, that could be a commercial lawn mower. A common funding practice many new business owners take is to use personal savings and start small by reinvesting profits into the business. This approach, known as bootstrapping, seems rooted in common sense, but can be restrictive to your business’ growt...

Have Years of Darwinism in Rural America Paid Off During COVID-19?

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

As cities reel from a public health crisis and civic unrest, rural and small town community leaders are the unspoken heroes during the COVID-19 pandemic. They have historically learned how to thrive through fostering creative connections between limited resources and community needs. Years of practice navigating threats and finding solutions keeps rural America surviving, even amidst a pandemic. Progressive rural community leaders developed a task force in March. They used frequent and clear communication on the local plan. Rural America applied well-practiced skills listening to citizens, health care professionals, business owners and educators to make decisions right for their own communities...

Infrastructure Investment as an Economic Stimulus Tool

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

In times of economic struggle — such as the recession that abruptly arrived with the COVID-19 pandemic — analysts and advocates promote an array of options as effective tools for stimulating the economy. One of the most frequently suggested options is infrastructure spending. Proponents of infrastructure spending during dire economic times view it as a productive job creator and essential foundation for a long-term recovery and return to sustained prosperity. Brian Raff, director of Communications and Public Affairs for the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), cites a 2015 study by the Duke Center on Globalization, Governance, and Competitiveness to demonstrate infrastructure investment’...

Why Companies Should Onshore in Benton County, MN

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

For companies looking to stabilize their supply chains by onshoring, Benton County, MN has the desired assets and amenities that appeal to site selectors looking to relocate or expand. Why Did Onshoring Become a Key Strategy? Onshoring to strengthen supply chains has become critical for many businesses as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to highlight the vulnerability of relying on global resources and products. Over the past 40 years, many companies focused on cost reduction, choosing to steadily relocate manufacturing overseas as global markets opened up in places such as China, South Korea, Vietnam and Thailand. However, because of world events, businesses ar...

Beat Zoom Fatigue With These 6 Tips

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

Do you audibly sigh every time you have to log on to what feels like your thousandth Zoom meeting of the day? You’re not alone. While we’re all more or less used to video calls and meetings being the norm now, the newly coined effect of Zoom fatigue hasn’t gone away. Since working from home is here to stay, video calls are here for the long run too. This makes it incredibly important to find a way to prevent Zoom fatigue from taking over your workday. Here are a few ways you can mitigate its effects. Read full article.

How To Keep Women In The Workforce During The Pandemic

Monday, September 28, 2020

We may be losing some of our best leaders to caregiving duties, and the pandemic is sending us backwards when it comes to gender equality. Women’s careers often take a backseat when caregiving duties rise, and women are more vulnerable to job loss during an economic downturn. The research shows that pandemic is hitting women hard on both fronts. Women are more than twice as likely as men to say they handle more than 50% of the caregiving and education responsibilities and 34% of working families are still without childcare coverage, according to Cleo’s State of Working Parents Study. A recent FlexJobs survey reports that 80% of workin...

Redefining Leadership 2020: Leading Through Uncertainty

Thursday, September 17, 2020

The past few months have been marked by uncertainty and unrest. Elected officials have done what they can to lead through a summer of civil unrest and continued pandemic fallout. But, more often than not, the burden of leadership has fallen on the business community. During these uncertain times, “employees are looking to businesses to lead,” noted Paul Marvin, CEO of The Marvin Cos., the Warroad-based maker of windows and doors. In a TCB Talks virtual panel discussion on Wednesday, Marvin joined Delta Dental of Minnesota CEO Rodney Young and Pentair Executive VP and Chief Human Resources Officer Kelly Baker to discuss ho...

Newly Named Executive Director of Broadband Development Spotlights Access

Thursday, September 10, 2020

As Angie Dickison formally steps into her role as Executive Director of DEED's Office of Broadband Development, she is traveling across the state to boost awareness of initiatives designed to help Minnesota achieve its goal of border-to-border high-speed internet access. Angie was appointed to this position last month by Governor Tim Walz, but has been filling this role in an interim capacity while serving as broadband development manager since July 2019. Read full article.

Catalina Valencia Named Director of Business Development at DEED

Wednesday, September 09, 2020

The Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is excited to announce Catalina Valencia as our new director of Business Development. Catalina, who has 20 years of professional business development experience in a broad range of settings, joins DEED on September 9 and will lead a team of six business development managers and other support staff who work with companies of all sizes to help them locate and expand in communities across Minnesota. Catalina comes to DEED from Greenville, South Carolina where she ran her own site selection and economic development consulting firm. Prior to that, she worked for five year...

Hidden Bias in the Workplace: Retention Strategies

Wednesday, September 02, 2020

So you, as an employer, have successfully implemented a recruiting strategy focused on increasing diversity and inclusion in your workforce. Your employee base is different from five years ago. It now includes more individuals of color, women, people with disabilities, people who identify as LGBTQ, and workers of all ages and body types. It is the hope of management that – along with a more diverse workforce – employee longevity is one of the benefits. Retention is as important for employers as developing a strong recruiting strategy that attracts applicants with the right skills in the first place. What is equit...

Workforce Development Efforts Will Help Rebuild a More Equitable Minnesota

Tuesday, September 01, 2020

September is Workforce Development Month – and never in recent memory have investments in our state's workforce been more important. The pandemic has had a dramatic impact on jobs and employment in Minnesota. Our state's unemployment rate as of July is at 7.7%, down more than two percentage points from May, but still more than twice what it was in July 2019, when it was 3.2%. The Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), and our workforce development partners throughout the state, are working to connect unemployed or underemployed Minnesotans during the pandemic with in-demand jobs at employers hiring now. Thi...

The Old Creamery Café and Creative Catering are the Pride of Benton County

Friday, July 31, 2020

Benton County is all about dedicated people, community connections, and a palpable vibrancy; attributes clearly embodied by Mark Larson’s Old Creamery Café and Creative Catering. The restaurant brims with “true Central Minnesota Americana” serving as a place for the community to come for first dates, breakfast with the grandkids, or lunch after church. Creative Catering serves up the delicious food for the occasions the community celebrates: graduations, weddings, and lives well-lived. But to understand how these businesses achieved their place of pride in Benton County, it is interesting to trace Larson’s penchant for grabbing opportunities and seeking education and experience. H...

Make Your Next Pitch Instantly More Compelling By Using This One Philosopher's Framework

Tuesday, July 21, 2020

Want to know with confidence that your elevator pitch will land? Would clarity and persuasion help you attract more clients, investors, mentors and sales? To maximize success in conversation, ensure you are following Grice’s maxims. Twentieth-century British philosopher Paul Grice shifted the way we think about semantics and language. His maxims for conversation are part of his work on the cooperative principle, which states that when people engage with one another there are unspoken assumptions around how the conversation will unfold. Research tells us that we grasp the nuances of Grice’s maxims from an early age; a 2015 study found that children as youn...

Minnesotans donate in record numbers to Give to the Max

Friday, November 20, 2020