Economic development
Minnesota Expanding Opportunity Fund Program
Save the Date: Foundations of the Future Conference The Minnesota Expanding Opportunity Fund Program is a state-funded program providing low-interest loans to Minnesota nonprofit corporations, Tribal economic development entities, and community development financial institutions. Lenders can receive up to $600,000 at one time to provide loans to the small businesses they serve. Applicants must be…
Read MoreDEED: Minnesota jobs and labor force grow again in December
Save the Date: Foundations of the Future Conference DEED announced today that Minnesota employers added more than 4,000 jobs and the state’s workforce grew by 3,300 jobseekers in December. The state unemployment rate decreased very slightly to 3.3%, and the labor force participation rate remained steady. Read the full press release on the DEED website.…
Read MoreThe State of Rural 2025 now available
Save the Date: Foundations of the Future Conference The Center for Rural Policy and Development has released The State of Rural 2025, their annual report on 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…
Read MoreGMNP announces 2025 policy priorities
Save the Date: Foundations of the Future Conference The GMNP 2025 legislative platform renews the Partnership’s focus on ensuring Greater Minnesota communities and businesses have the resources they need to thrive. In 2025, the GMNP will work to secure funding for critical housing, workforce development, child care, and broadband programs, and push for a bonding…
Read MoreDEED: Four Greater MN cities receive BDPI awards
Save the Date: Foundations of the Future Conference The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced more than $4.37 million in grant awards to four communities in Greater Minnesota through the agency’s Business Development Public Infrastructure program (BDPI). BDPI helps cities expand the public infrastructure needed to support new business development or expansion,…
Read MoreBrownfields & Beyond 2025: Call for Presentations & Sponsorship Opportunities
Save the Date: Foundations of the Future Conference From the Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development: The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) will be hosting the Brownfields and Beyond: 2025 Minnesota Redevelopment Conference on Thursday, April 24 and Friday, April 25, 2025, at the St. Cloud River’s Edge Convention Center in…
Read MorePublic comment period open for MnCIFA draft Investment Strategy
Save the Date: Foundations of the Future Conference The Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority (MnCIFA) was established in the 2023 legislative session as a public financing authority, known in other states as a “green bank.” You can read more about MnCIFA here. MnCIFA’s draft Investment Strategy has been posted for public comment. You can access…
Read MoreFinal grant round for DEED Main Street Economic Revitalization funds now open
Save the Date: Foundations of the Future Conference The third and final round of the Main Street Economic Revitalization Program is now open for project proposals from eligible partner organizations. This funding round will award the remaining $4.68 million of the $80 million total funding the program received in the 2021 legislative session. The Main…
Read MoreDEED awards $4.6 million in redevelopment grants
Save the Date: Foundations of the Future Conference The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) recently announced $4.7 million in land redevelopment grant funding and a blighted land demolition loan for projects statewide, including seven in CGMC member cities. The grant funding will create or retain 278 jobs, collectively increase local tax bases…
Read MoreApplication open for Rural Child Care Innovation Program
Save the Date: Foundations of the Future Conference Through generous funding from the MN Department of Children, Youth, and Families, First Children’s Finance is pleased to offer the Rural Child Care Innovation Program (RCCIP), an innovative community engagement process designed to address the challenges of child care in rural America. We know that child care…
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