Economic development
The State of Rural 2026 report published
Save the Date: Foundations of the Future Conference The Center for Rural Policy and Development recently released their annual report on the state of various economic and demographic indicators in rural Minnesota. The report covers population growth, migration, and demographic shifts, economic and workforce trends, and compares current data to past trends and future projections.…
Read MoreNovember budget forecast: Down, up, then down again
Save the Date: Foundations of the Future Conference Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) released its November forecast this morning, providing an updated look at the state’s fiscal situation in the current biennium as well as the 2028-29 biennium. The forecast shows both good and bad news. The good news is that the 2024-25 biennium ended…
Read MoreApplications open for MPCA brownfield grants
Save the Date: Foundations of the Future Conference Abandoned gas stations, former dry cleaners or old manufacturing spaces exist in every community. Properties like these—called brownfields—can be a challenge to redevelop and often sit idle for years due to risks of perceived contamination. This can lead to neighborhood blight, unsafe structures, and polluted spaces that…
Read MoreNorth Star Promise report provides insight into potential student workforce development in Greater MN communities
Save the Date: Foundations of the Future Conference Recently, the Office of Higher Education released a preliminary report about the North Star Promise program from the 2024-25 school year. The North Star Promise program served 53,567 students during the 2024-25 school year. The North Star Promise provides scholarships to Minnesota residents with an adjusted gross…
Read MoreDEED now accepting applications for Contamination Cleanup/Investigation & RAP Development grants
Save the Date: Foundations of the Future Conference The Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), through its Brownfields and Redevelopment Unit, is accepting grant applications through the Contamination Cleanup and Investigation and RAP Development Grant Program. This grant program assists local communities with the investigation and cleanup of soil, soil vapor, and groundwater contamination…
Read MoreDEED: Businesses report cautious optimism, but higher costs, for year ahead
Save the Date: Foundations of the Future Conference The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development announced survey results today that indicate that while businesses in Minnesota have concerns about operating costs, consumer spending, and inflation, they expect revenue and productivity to increase or stay the same over the next year. Read the full press…
Read MoreDEED awards more than $5 million in BDPI to North Branch, Sartell, Willmar
Save the Date: Foundations of the Future Conference The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development announced that more than $5 million in total funding has been awarded to the cities of North Branch, Sartell, and Willmar through the BDPI program. The BDPI program is a key GMNP priority and helps cities in Greater Minnesota…
Read MorePaid Leave developments at the Legislature
Save the Date: Foundations of the Future Conference There has been a fair amount of chatter at the Capitol and in the media revisiting the Paid Leave program that the Legislature enacted during the 2023 legislative session, which is due to go into effect on January 1, 2026. At this time, Rep. Dave Baker (R-Willmar)…
Read MoreDEED announces prequalification process for $652 million in federal broadband funding
Save the Date: Foundations of the Future Conference The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced that the agency’s proposed map of eligible locations to receive high-speed broadband through the federal Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) funding allocation has been formally accepted by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Nearly 89,000 locations…
Read MoreChild Care Economic Development Grants Announced
Save the Date: Foundations of the Future Conference Congratulations to members and your partners who were awarded this second round of Child Care Economic Development Grants funding to support the startup or expansion of child care slots! I hope you saw that 84% of the funds will go to Greater Minnesota, estimated to create 1,337…
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