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See What We Do at Benton Economic Partnership
May 16 2023In May, Economic Development Week celebrates economic developers, local leaders, and organizations who work tirelessly to recruit investors, develop businesses, create jobs, enhance the tax base, and ultimately improve the quality of life for their communities.
In Benton County, Minnesota, Benton Economic Partnership (BEP) works year-round to facilitate opportunities...
Benton Economic Partnership, Inc. (BEP) in Benton County, MN, is pleased to announce the onboarding of Johanna Isaro Ngango as the Economic Development Marketing Intern for 2023. Johanna is a St. Cloud State University senior majoring in Political Science, International Relations, Urban Planning and Community Development.
“Through our internship...
There have been a lot of changes announced for downtown St. Cloud -- both west and east of the Mississippi River -- in recent months.
It's hard to keep track of what's all happening.
So here's a look at what we've reported on what has already opened in...
Our old buildings, and the materials inside them, are the focus of a public meeting that's coming up on the east side of St. Cloud.
"Repurposing Buildings: Turning Vacant Spaces into Community Places" will be held from 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday at Salem Lutheran Church...
The skilled trades are at a pivotal moment in time. More than a decade of understaffing issues remain unresolved as the Great Retirement looms, and current economic uncertainty is shifting budget priorities away from workforce development at many organizations. As for the next decade, the U.S. Bureau of Labor (BLS)...
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics most recent report released on March 10, 2023, the unemployment rate for March was 3.5 percent. The unemployment rate has hovered at this level over the last 12 months, ranging between 3.5 percent and 3.7 percent, except for in January 2023 where it...
The development land market across the United States is inherently diverse and complex, shaping our cities and communities while playing a vital role in job creation, investment opportunities, and the country’s overall economy.
Read the complete article here.
If you want to gain a competitive edge in the race to hire talent, you may want to consider doing what many American workers have already done: Move out of the big city.
What many thought was just a blip during the COVID-19 pandemic — people fleeing big cities...
The AFRI Education and Workforce Development Program focuses on developing the next generation of research, education, and extension professionals in the food and agricultural sciences. The program educates professionals to lead agriculture into the future by solving current and future challenges facing our society.
The AFRI Education and Workforce...
RMCEP’s Restoring Connections Grant Program: A Fresh Start for Justice-Involved Individuals
Jul 24 2023Rural Minnesota CEP (RMCEP) has introduced a competitive grant program, “Restoring Connections,” which will help justice-involved MN residents rejoin the workforce. Through programming and training services, RMCEP will create opportunities for participants to secure employment and support regional industries.
RMCEP will serve 38 participants through the program. The program’s...
The Minnesota Legislature passed many bills this legislative session. Here is a timeline of when those bills become a reality for your business.
ALREADY IN EFFECT
Hair texture and styles added to the definition of race
Ban on restrictive franchise agreements (“no-poach” or “non-solicitation” agreements)
State Building...
ST. CLOUD (WJON News) -- A group of people committed to revitalizing downtown St. Cloud has been busy moving that vision forward.
The Downtown Revitalization Task Force has about 16 members who all have a stake in a strong downtown.
Greg Windfeldt is heading the task force. He...
Keeping You Informed on New Law Changes Impacting Businesses
The Minnesota Chamber is pleased to offer valuable information to our members and community business leaders. We have received many, many questions from our members about what happened during this legislative session, and we’re here to help you make sense...
Rural broadband service in Benton County took another large step forward just recently with the announcement by the Minnesota Office of Broadband Development of a $3 million “Border to Border” broadband grant to Benton Communications to extend fiber service to areas of the County to the South of Minnesota Highway...
July’s Workforce Wednesday discussion highlighted strategies for growing and expanding a business in Minnesota with the help of DEED’s Economic Development team.
DEED’s Office of Business Development Executive Director, Catalina Valencia, gave an overview of how her team can assist Minnesota businesses of any size and at every stage...
MINNEAPOLIS -- Dr. Cindy Firkins Smith doesn't mince words: "Rural health care is on the precipice of a crisis," she said.
Smith, a vice president and physician at CentraCare, has been practicing dermatology in Willmar for three decades. In all of that time, she's always recruited other doctors to...
The University of Minnesota today announced investments totaling $2.5 million across multiple Minnesota venture capital funds that will ultimately benefit start-up companies in the state.
This is the first in a series of significant investments stemming from a partnership announced last November with the Minnesota Department of Employment and...
Every year the Minnesota House of Representatives sends out a list of new laws passed by the Legislature and signed by the governor. In 2022, the list ran just over six pages. In 2023, the list is 16 pages.
“Call it an onslaught,” says Minnesota Chamber of Commerce President...
ST. CLOUD (WJON News) -- The plan to create a new medical school with a focus on rural healthcare continues to move forward.
Ken Holmen is the CEO and President at CentraCare. He says they have selected the Administrative Services Building next to the Plaza Building to be the...
Minnesota's economy grew slightly faster than the country's overall to start 2023.
Adjusted for inflation, the state's gross domestic product rose 2.2% on an annualized basis over the first three months of the year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
The nation's first quarter GDP growth,...
Rural MN CEP Career Force’s CLIMB Program: Transforming Dislocated Workers into Entrepreneurs
Jun 28 2023As a participant of Rural MN CEP Career Force’s Converting Layoffs into MN Businesses (CLIMB) Program, Kimberly Gillette was able to transform a career crisis into the creation of her dreams. Designed to assist aspiring entrepreneurs in the state-funded Dislocated Worker (DW) program, the CLIMB Program supports business launches or...
ST. PAUL (WJON News) -- Benton, Sherburne, and Stearns are among the more than 20 counties across the state that will be receiving funding to expand broadband access.
The Governor's Office announced they will be providing $67 million in state grants for internet providers to expand their services. The...
UNDATED (WJON News) -- A leader from a St. Cloud area non-profit has been recognized with a national award.
Earlier this week, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota's Program Director Ann Matvick was selected as the winner of this year's Brick Award for Program Staff Person of the...
Construction crews continue to make progress on the large Highway 23 and Highway 10 reconstruction projects. MnDOT Project Manager Robert Abfalter says the lack of rain has allowed them to keep the project on track.
Read the complete article here.