News and Media

Products coming out of U.S. centers of innovation are ramping up the economies of cities/regions across the country, shortening critical supply lines, and, in the case of some newly announced projects, helping ensure national security. Some of the breakthroughs will eventually find their way into space missions. These hubs of innovatio...Continue Reading

Amid increasing recession concerns and mounting pressure from key stakeholders to mitigate supply chain disruption risks, industrial products (IP) sector leaders continue to grapple with workforce issues, leaving social commitments like DEI initiatives to fall to the back burner. These initiatives involve strategies to attract and retain a diverse workforce...Continue Reading

The Georgia-North Carolina business climate rivalry was relegated to the runner-up level in this year’s ranking of the best state business climates. Virginia, a frequent top 10 finisher in Site Selection’s annual ranking, won first place over Georgia, a recent eight-consecutive-year winner. Texas finished in third place. North Carolina an...Continue Reading

Another round of grant money is available for current or future businesses in downtown St. Cloud. Last year the state allocated money to the Initiative Foundation for the Main Street Economic Revitalization Grant program. St. Cloud's share of the money was $1.5 million. St. Cloud Economic Development Authority awarded eight grants this past fall after receivin...Continue Reading

The city of Sartell has received a portion of a nearly $2.6-million grant to help with the clean up of the former Verso Paper Mill site. The city was awarded $50,000 through the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development's Contamination Cleanup and Investigation Grant Program. Click here to read full article.   Continue Reading

Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development (DEED) asked hundreds of state business owners a simple question: What would make it easier to start a small business? The resounding answer was, “help us hurdle the persistent gap in funding when we are just getting started.” Now, help is on the way...Continue Reading

As a part of the 2021 American Rescue Act (ARPA) Minnesota was awarded up to $97 million through the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). The SSBCI program is made up of six programs designed to fill financing gaps and operate in conjunction with private lenders. The Minnesota Department o...Continue Reading

Laying the foundation for a powerful leadership team starts with a business assessment and a self-assessment. What does the business need to achieve, and how can our leadership teams get us there? I tend to look at things globally, but while I can see things in a micro way to determin...Continue Reading

Today, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced $386,964 in Launch Minnesota Innovation Grant awards to startups across the state. The grants were awarded to 15 startups, over half of which are led by entrepreneurs of color, veterans, women, or located in Greater Minnesota. Launch Minnesota Innovation Grant...Continue Reading

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced an investment of $9.5 million to support the scale-up of sustainable bioproduct manufacturing in the United States. Three successful projects are funded through USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s (NIFA) Bioproduct Pilot Program, which funds research and development of value-added products fro...Continue Reading

Governor Tim Walz and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced funding for four businesses through the Minnesota Job Creation Fund and the Minnesota Investment Fund. The total award is more than $4.6 million and is expected to create 276 jobs over the next three years. "We ar...Continue Reading

Minnesota gained 6,800 jobs in November, up 0.2% from October on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to numbers released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The private sector gained 3,500 jobs in November, up 0.1%, while Government gained 3,300 jobs over the month. The U.S...Continue Reading

At the recent Women in Business: annual legislator luncheon, business leaders were joined by women legislators to discuss the policy impacts on Minnesota businesses. The keynote address took on a critical issue to the state’s business leaders: the workforce shortage.  Minnesota State Demographer Susan Brower keynoted the event to share ho...Continue Reading

[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz today announced that internet providers will receive nearly $100 million to expand broadband coverage to more Minnesotans, representing the largest single investment in broadband infrastructure in state history. "This historic funding will dramatically improve broadband access for thousands of Minnesotans," said Governor Walz. "Broadban...Continue Reading

In the wake of George Floyd’s murder in 2020, businesses, nonprofits, and government entities alike promised to right historical wrongs by directing millions of dollars to Black-owned companies. Minneapolis-based Target Corp., for instance, has pledged to spend $2 billion with Black-owned suppliers over the next few years. Now, a St. Paul-base...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6, 2022 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the Department is investing $981 million to help create new and better market opportunities and expand essential services for rural people, businesses and entrepreneurs in 47 states, Guam and the Virgin Islands. “Rural people provid...Continue Reading

St. Paul – Today, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced the final component of the $97 million State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI): the Small Business Loan Participation Program. As part of the program, DEED will purchase 25% to 30% participations in loans made by approved Communit...Continue Reading

Minnesota’s economy continued to show mixed signals through October of 2022.  Minnesota experienced two consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth, which is often used as a benchmark indicator of a recession. This has been coupled with low consumer sentiment and falling business investment in the U.S. economy, all of which woul...Continue Reading

New research from the Site Selectors Guild unveils the relevancy of select economic development practices and insights on what’s next for the industry in the year ahead. Relationship-building marketing tactics and product development tactics, such as those designed to strengthen and grow the workforce, were identified as very relevant a...Continue Reading

Employers across the U.S. have been facing extreme workforce challenges. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, total non-farm employment continued to grow, adding 261,000 jobs in October. This ongoing imbalance between labor demand and supply means that there are 10.7 million jobs still available, but only 5.7 million peopl...Continue Reading

Minnesota Announces $97 Million in Small Business Financial Support Military veterans transitioning to civilian life should consider entrepreneurship to secure their futures. Their training and experiences foster critical skills in leadership, teamwork, and technology. Veterans comprise around 7 percent of the adult population in the U.S., translating to 18 million Americans...Continue Reading

St. Paul – Today, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) launched the Growth Loan Fund as part of the recently announced $97 million through the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) from the U.S. Department of the Treasury. This new program provides direct loans from DEED t...Continue Reading

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) held a roundtable discussion Monday to talk about the need to attract more workers to the manufacturing sector. The worker shortage is prompting the industry to make changes, not just in how it operates, but also how manufacturers market themselves.   Read her...Continue Reading

St. Paul – The Minnesota Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) today announced the results of a Request for Proposal (RFP) to host SBDC regional centers throughout Minnesota. A total of nine regional hosts were selected, including seven returning SBDC regional host...Continue Reading