News and Media

Friday, February 12, 2021

Although Ramon Ruiz emigrated from the warmth of Mexico to San Francisco, Calif., he’s planted his roots in the Minnesota cold; and after years of dreaming about owning an Italian eatery, those dreams are coming to life in our local suburbs. “I started [cooking] in California, outside of San Francisco, making pizzas … At the time I was so young, and I had no experience in Italian food,” Ruiz says. After a 10-month stint spinning pizzas, Ruiz was sent to White Bear Lake, Minn., for two weeks to train for a Two Guys From Italy franchise. “My boss had asked if I wa...

Roma Restaurant opens specialty meat market

Wednesday, February 03, 2021

Roma Market in Mahtomedi will be returning to its roots this February by replacing one of its dining rooms with a specialty meat market. The decision was partly spurred by the steep drop in in-person dining during the long months of the coronavirus pandemic. “Grocery is something the government’s not going to shut off,” said Roma Manager Brian Pilrain. “It makes more sense long term to have this wing as a grocery store, and we still have the west wing for dining.” Pilrain said the east wing of the building has been basically empty for nearly two years. The pandemic followed swiftly o...

Entira Family Clinics Expands To Hugo

Wednesday, January 27, 2021

While many larger health care systems are closing clinics, Maplewood-based Entira Family Clinics is expanding. The independent, physician-owned group will open a new primary care clinic in Hugo next fall. Entira is the largest independent organization of family medicine providers in the state of Minnesota. Hugo will be the group’s 11th clinic. But people in Minneapolis or the western side of metro may never have heard of Entira: All of its locations are in the East metro in communities like Woodbury, White Bear Lake, Shoreview, and Inver Grove Heights. Read full article.

Goal set high for business donation effort

Tuesday, January 26, 2021

A Hugo resident is doing all he can to ensure that small businesses in the community stick around once this pandemic is behind us. Mike Roberts, who is originally from North Carolina, is no stranger to small business. At the young age of 5, he remembers helping out with his parents’ small business. When Roberts was a senior in high school, his parents’ business of 30 years went under and they had to file for bankruptcy. “My parents lost everything … They ended up having to work at a competitor in Atlanta, which was like four to five hours away (from home...

Launch Minnesota Receives National Award as a Small Business Administration “Super Connector”

Friday, January 22, 2021

Launch Minnesota – an initiative of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) designed to accelerate the growth of startups and amplify Minnesota as a national leader in innovation – has received a national award as a “Super Connector” in the new Lab-to-Market (L2M) Competition sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in partnership with the National Science and Technology. The competition drew over 160 submissions from across the country and awarded $330,000 in prizes. Launch Minnesota was one of four recipients in the Super Connector category which recognizes “current efforts to successfully attract and/or support networks of underrepresented communities in th...

Trends in Office and Industrial Parks

Monday, January 18, 2021

Of course, the big factor impacting office and industrial parks going into 2021 is COVID-19. The pandemic has reduced business production and workforce (through illness, social distancing, and remote working), disrupted the supply chain and cash flow, and brought about significant investments in technology. Across the nation, the demand for suburban office parks is rising as more skilled workers move back to suburbs, due to concerns about housing costs and quality of education — they also feel safer from COVID-19 and the civil unrest that is happening in some larger cities. “The most notable shift is toward lower-intensity spaces, where getting int...

How to navigate mask usage in the office as companies reopen

Friday, January 15, 2021

To help reduce the spread of COVID-19, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends wearing a mask in public settings when social distancing is difficult to maintain. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released temporary guidance under the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to improve U.S. supplies of face masks for COVID-19. During the COVID-19 emergency, the FDA is using enforcement discretion to relax regulatory requirements and allow more masks onto the U.S. market faster. This article describes what you, as a business leader, need to know about masks as you bring employees back into the office during the COVID-19 pandemic. Let’s start with some definitions First...

Recruiting and Retaining Today’s Manufacturing Workforce

Friday, January 15, 2021

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...

The Future of the Workforce Is a “Better Normal”

Thursday, January 14, 2021

The world as we all knew it changed earlier this year with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Seemingly overnight, everything that we used to think was normal had changed, and things that once were deemed impossible for the workplace became the “new normal.” Now, seven months later, most of us have gotten used to this “new normal” — embracing the work-from-home lifestyle, using new technology, wearing masks, social distancing, and connecting virtually. But what comes next? Eventually this pandemic will end, a vaccine will be readily available, and we will attempt to return back to our “normal” lives. Bu...

Welcome, Alma Flor Ada

Monday, January 11, 2021

Alma Flor Ada’s ribbon cutting ceremony was held in August 2020 and officially opened its doors the following month, therefore creating new opportunities for Woodbury families to have bilingual preschool education and cultural exposure. Read full article.

Chamber announces new board directors

Thursday, January 07, 2021

The Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce announced three new members to the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors: Sarah Jesperson, Nathan Pulscher and Annette Sallman. Annette Sallman Annette Sallman is the director of community education for Stillwater Area Public Schools. She has more than 25 years of experience in education. After joining the Stillwater school district in 2004, Annette served in several roles before assuming the director’s position in 2014. Although she does not live in Stillwater, she considers it her community. In addition to her work from the school district, she is a board member for United Way Washington County East, serve...

Get Creative to Uncover Top Talent When You're Hiring

Saturday, January 02, 2021

“She looked so good on paper.” Sound familiar? In your haste to fill an open position to keep your company running smoothly, you make a hiring decision that turns out to be a big mistake. If this is the case, you are certainly not alone, and the problem isn’t a lack of judgment. A US Chamber of Commerce Foundation study released earlier this year confirms what many of us on the front lines of recruiting candidates already know: There is a skills gap in the current labor market. The study found 48% of respondents lamenting that candidates lack the skills to fill the jobs at hand. In a...

Mattson Funeral Home has passed the test of time

Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Driving north through Forest Lake’s downtown, one might not think twice about the historical significance of Mattson Funeral Home, 343 North Shore Drive. On the surface, the 20-year-old funeral home and cremation service facility gives no hint of its long tenure here. It is a modern-looking facility that speaks to current times. But long is its history. This year marks the 100th anniversary for the funeral home in Forest Lake, and its roots go even deeper in Washington County’s history. The business relocated here from Scandia in 1920 after serving families there for many years. In a century of service, Mattson’s ha...

DEED Update: New Federal Stimulus Legislation

Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Today, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) shared an important update on new federal stimulus legislation. This new legislation, recently passed by Congress, may impact the unemployment benefits for Minnesotans. Effective Dec. 27, 2020, the legislation will provide: 11 more weeks of benefits under the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program. 11 more weeks of benefits under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program. A $300 per week supplemental payment to anyone receiving unemployment benefits from any program. A new program called Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation (MEUC), which provides a $100 per week supplemental payment for certain self-employed people/independent contractors who are collectin...

New dental office coming to Woodbury

Friday, December 25, 2020

Tyler Rohr, DDS will soon be offering dental services to the community of Woodbury at his new office, City’s Edge Dental Care, 4021 Benjamin Drive in Woodbury. The family dental practice is set to open on, Jan. 15. Rohr and his dental team the opportunity to provide the most up-to-date procedures and services to their patients, according to a press release from the dentist’s office. City’s Edge Dental Care will offer routine cleanings and simple fillings to more in-depth restorative and cosmetic services. Read full article.

New concept proposed for downtown

Thursday, December 17, 2020

HUGO — The Cattle House Grill proposal for Egg Lake’s western shore is no more, but a new concept has been proposed. The City Council has approved a purchase agreement, subject to review by the city attorney and financial adviser, for the city-owned property across Highway 61 from City Hall. Denny Trooien, of Dennis Properties LLC, would like to develop the property along the lake with uses such as a restaurant, retail and office. The Economic Development Authority (EDA) has agreed that the concept generally meets the development criteria the city has for the property and directed city staff to negotiate ...

Cold Storage Is Hotter Than Ever

Tuesday, December 15, 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...

In Focus: The Evolving Role of Outdoor Spaces

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

This year has been hallmarked by re-evaluation. On all levels, people have taken a second look at their habits, spaces, and lifestyles and have had to adjust greatly to meet the new needs of today. With safety as a priority, people entered their homes in March, and most have not returned to a “normal” lifestyle. On a macro-level, spaces must be reimagined in order for people to return safely and once again participate in day-to-day activities without fear of getting sick or infecting others. One solution is moving traditionally indoor spaces outdoors. The office is a great example of how outdoo...

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

Monday, December 14, 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...

How to Navigate the Reshoring of Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

Monday, December 14, 2020

In recent years, geopolitical and economic trends have been encouraging pharmaceutical drug manufacturers to shift their active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) sourcing and physical manufacturing plants onto domestic soil or near-shore locations. This has been a gradually turning tide that accelerated this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and, in its wake, a presidential Executive Order requiring all essential medicines to be manufactured within the United States. While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet disclosed the list of essential medications, it has become apparent that having a strategy for the reshoring of pharmaceutical manufacturing is crucial. There ar...

Washington County Gets Active in Winter

Monday, December 14, 2020

Minnesotans eagerly await the winter months, with a reputation for snowy days and cold nights. But Washington County is more adequately described as a winter wonderland for residents and visitors alike to enjoy the outdoor opportunities present in the parks, frozen lakes, open fields, and rolling hills nestled between St. Paul and the St. Croix River. Downhill Skiing One of the most notable winter destinations in Washington County is the Afton Alps ski area. Located along the St. Croix River in the southeast corner of Washington County, Afton Alps has been one of the Midwest's premier winter draws for over 50 years...

Front Line: Vocational Training Alliances in Tough Times

Friday, December 11, 2020

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 STEM majors, but companies foregoing investment in training and four decade...

Recruiting and Retaining Today’s Manufacturing Workforce

Friday, December 11, 2020

2-Time Citizen of the Year Roger Green is 'the Most Impactful Person' in Woodbury

Thursday, December 10, 2020

Roger Green is known for giving his time and efforts to the community, twice receiving the Woodbury Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year award. Nominated by fellow community members, the Citizen of the Year award recognizes active individuals who bring significant value to the area through their own personal commitment to making Woodbury a more welcoming, functional and philanthropic place. “It is really important to our organization to recognize the businesses and the people who make this community in sync,” president of the Woodbury Chamber of Commerce Laurie Staiger says. “Woodbury is the way that it is because of the people that liv...

Attaining a Big-Picture Perspective With a Facility Master Plan

Thursday, December 10, 2020

Leading a successful site and facility master plan challenges even the most seasoned leaders. After all, how often have you undertaken a master-planning process, only to be disappointed in the outcome, or worse yet, end up with a building that doesn’t align with your business goals? Based on over 30 years of working with manufacturing organizations, we have identified several master-planning process “must haves” that are vital to achieving successful, actionable and, most importantly, implementable site and facility master plans. With construction cost trending upward at a rate of 3 to 5 percent annually — and an industry focused on continuou...

Broadway dancer opens fitness studio in hometown Hugo

Wednesday, December 09, 2020

The bright lights of Broadway beckoned Samantha Zack of Hugo as soon as she graduated from high school, and the talented dancer spent 13 years in show business in New York City. Zack, 33, has been back home for a year now, and opened Full Circle Fitness this past July. She feels her life in dancing serves her well to help clients. “I’ve been dancing since I was 2, and dancers have the best body awareness in general,” she said. “I’ve been teaching kids to work on themselves since I was 13. Dancers are training in front of a mirror and look a...

Best Small Cities In Minnesota: How Woodbury Performed

Tuesday, December 01, 2020

WOODBURY, MN — Woodbury is among the best "small cities" in Minnesota, according to a new report. The town is in the 94th percentile of those ranked in a new study from WalletHub. "No two small cities are made equal, though, so which ones outshine the rest? To find out, WalletHub compared more than 1,200 U.S. cities with populations between 25,000 and 100,000 based on 43 key indicators of livability," the report reads. "They range from housing costs to school-system quality to restaurants per capita. Read on for the winners, additional insight from our panel of experts and a full description of ou...

DEED Touts 30 Jobs Most In Demand During Covid-19

Tuesday, December 01, 2020

Steve Grove is trying to help. Really. Grove, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), knows that the pandemic economy has been tough for many Minnesotans. Among the many hats he wears, Grove serves as a cheerleader for current job openings in the state. The big picture numbers are not pretty. Since March 16, nearly 1.1 million Minnesotans have filed applications for unemployment insurance. Weekly filings have been increasing again lately as the Covid-19 crisis continues to deepen. DEED’s most recently monthly employment statistics report showed that Minnesota is still down 187,897 jobs from October 2019 t...

How the Video Game Industry Drives DC Location Decisions

Monday, November 30, 2020

It’s natural to expect more data center capacity is needed to handle the boom in e-commerce, streamed programming and virtual meetings since the pandemic arrived. But there’s another subset of screen-based transactions that requires that expansion too. Statista reports there are an estimated 2.7 billion video gamers around the world in 2020. The largest proportion of these gamers, some 55% or 1.5 billion players, live in the Asia Pacific Region. North America, with 8%, claims just over 200 million gamers. Total prize money in 2018 for e-sports was $1.5 billion, with the 2018 League of Legends World Championship Finals reaching 99....

Chamber introducing ‘Chamber Bucks’

Friday, November 27, 2020

The Greater Stillwater Chamber will start selling Commerce Chamber Bucks as part of a gift-certificate program to support Stillwater area businesses during the pandemic. Chamber Bucks are gift certificates sold by the Chamber of Commerce and are redeemable to purchase merchandise, food, or service at any participating member’s business. A list of participating businesses on the Chamber of Commerce website and on the brochure itself when you purchase the Chamber Bucks. Read full article.

#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...

Support Local Businesses During COVID-19 Now & Year-Round

Monday, November 23, 2020

Like thousands across the country, Washington County small businesses have faced severe economic hardship during 2020. Unlike ever before, local businesses need the help of their communities. There is no time like the present, beginning with Small Business Saturday on November 28, to recognize local small businesses for the positive contribution they make to our lives. Washington County communities are tight-knit and its residents know it is possible to make a considerable economic impact during the COVID-19 crisis by supporting local small businesses. American Express indicates two-thirds of every dollar spent at small businesses in the U.S. stays in the loca...

DEED, State Leaders Celebrate Minnesota’s Startup Community

Friday, November 20, 2020

St. Paul – This week, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) hosted a virtual event to celebrate Minnesota’s startup community and Launch Minnesota’s first anniversary. Participants included two state legislators, six startups and seven partners from across the state who are part of the Launch Minnesota Network. Launch Minnesota is a statewide collaborative effort to accelerate the growth of startups and amplify Minnesota as a national leader in innovation. It began last year with bipartisan approval and funding from the Minnesota Legislature and Governor Tim Walz. “This investment in our innovation ecosystem helps our state’s economy both now and into the future,” said Governo...

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. Second Harvest Heartland Food Bank received more than $900,000 in donations. That was the most money given to a single organization this year. Read full article.

Hello Iron Range! attracting workforce to Northeast Minnesota

Friday, November 13, 2020

Being a Workforce Strategy Consultant is all about making connections and developing solutions to help employers find the employees they need to grow and thrive in Minnesota. One of the most exciting projects that I have been working on is Hello Iron Range! a talent attraction website designed to promote the Iron Range and help businesses recruit and retain talent to the region. My partner in this project has been Beth Pierce, Executive Director from Iron Range Tourism. The project was funded with support from the Blandin Broadband Initiative and the Iron Range Tourism Bureau. The purpose of the site is t...

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 — an...

Mexican restaurant set to open in downtown Forest Lake

Wednesday, November 04, 2020

The Ruelas brothers have been in the restaurant business for nearly 15 years. With experience under their belt, they began working toward opening their own restaurant. For the past four years, they have been the owners of Rancho Loco in Cannon Falls. But now they are looking for something closer to home. “We wanted to open our own place, and it’s [the Cannon Falls location] been open for almost four years and it’s been doing good,” Ramon said. “We do have plenty of people that are helping us a lot down there and we wanted to have something closer to ou...

These are the Skills and Mindsets of the Leader of the Future

Wednesday, November 04, 2020

When we hear the word water, an image immediately comes to mind, we know what we are talking about. The same does not happen with the term leadership or when we want to refer to the leader. However, this character plays a fundamental role in cultures and organizations. Jacob Morgan, a futurist who explores leadership, the future of work and the experience of employees, participated in INCmty where he pointed out the nine skills and mindsets that the leader of the future must have, whom he referred to as "the leader of today" . Also founder of FutureOfWorkUniversity.com , an online education and training platform tha...

Companies Find Onshoring Opportunities in Washington County

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

The COVID-19 Pandemic has led American manufacturers to reevaluate their standard business practices due to supply chain disruptions and delayed product deliveries. The last four decades have seen companies offshore manufacturing operations overseas in order to save costs. But as those savings shrink in the current economic climate, companies are now turning to onshoring to recognize the benefits of proximity. This issue is not confined to specific industry segments, as 60% of U.S. manufacturing companies surveyed by Thomas have reported COVID-19 business disruptions. Onshoring is the logical solution to reducing the risk of future disruptions and delays, at least in part...

In Focus: Increased Data Center Growth Driven by the COVID-19 Pandemic

Tuesday, October 13, 2020

The stratospheric rise of the cloud over the past few years caught many off guard and created an arms race among the cloud providers, with data center development underpinning the effort. These cloud providers were anticipating ever-increasing demand for the cloud by globally creating a robust and redundant network of massive data centers tethered together through a network of smaller data centers and fiber connection locations. Data centers that service other segments of the market (wholesale colocation, “edge,” and retail) were also riding the wave of increased demand. Little did we know a global pandemic would make data centers and th...

In Focus: An Evolving Last Mile

Monday, October 12, 2020

Apart from the tragic global health implications, the economic fallout from the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic has been highly disruptive. The longer-term impact from the profound behavioral shift on the part of consumers who have — by necessity — been introduced to online shopping will persist long after the current recessionary cycle ends. While some new online shoppers will go back to their pre-COVID habits once the pandemic is behind us, many will be “sticky,” finding the convenience of online shopping too alluring. One recent survey finds that 46 percent of shoppers currently plan to continue buying online. Read full article.

Infrastructure Investment as an Economic Stimulus Tool

Monday, October 12, 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’...

Adding “COVID-19 Community Response” to the Site Selection Checklist

Friday, October 09, 2020

Much has been written about the disruptions of COVID-19 on every line of business. In the realm of economic development, this has included a recommitment to retention and expansion programs, touting quality of life to capture the influx of remote workers, a rush to virtual site tours, and many other endeavors. All of these adjustments will play a part in a community’s success in the years to come. But it seems that when all of them are stacked up, they point to the foundation of a community — or to use a construction expression, they reveal whether a community ha...

Businesses Doing Good

Friday, October 09, 2020

Minnesota pulls together in times of need. Here are companies we've found doing extraordinary things during this time. Changing the Narrative: Encouraging Immigrant and Refugee Entrepreneurs Red Wing Shoes Launches #LaborDayOn Hope Breakfast Bar in St. Paul gives out thousands of free meals; is holding a free "prom drive-through" Ranier distillery donates sanitizer to front-line workers on both sides of the border Read full article.

Data-Driven Operational Strategies in the Pandemic Era

Friday, October 09, 2020

As state economies struggle between surging cases of COVID-19 and intense pressure to reopen — albeit with varying degrees of restrictions — companies that reduced or halted operations in response to stay-at-home orders are torn between the urgent needs to both restore revenue streams and to ensure the safety of their employees and customers. Since every location has a different dynamic and risk profile, creating a return-to-work strategy is complicated, whether a company operates in five locations or 500. The solution to developing a sound, portfolio-wide strategy includes having ready access to data, analytics, and insights, including regional and community-specifi...

The New Normal in the Automotive Supply Chain

Thursday, October 08, 2020

For immediate evidence of disruptions in the automotive supply chain, you need to look no further than your local dealer. Many lots are nearly empty of new vehicles, with average dealer inventories across the U.S. far below the normal 50–60 days’ supply. How did this happen? Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic is a major part of the problem. When automotive production was abruptly halted in March, there were not any new vehicles being produced until early May. Even then, production has been proceeding in fits and starts. At the same time, consumers have continued to purchase vehicles, keeping auto demand surprisingl...

Washington County Community Perfect for Business

Monday, October 05, 2020

Nestled between the Minnesota Twin Cities urban areas and the scenic bluffs of the St. Croix National Scenic River System, Washington County is an area popular with businesses for a number of unique advantages. Available commercial space, a skilled workforce, diverse communities and interwoven natural areas combine to offer a quality of life unmatched across the country. Business Advantages The foremost advantage Washington County offers business is an abundance of commercial and industrial land. Ranging in size from 5 to 300 acres, plots are located within 30 minutes of 18 Fortune 500 companies, including 3M’s world headquarters, BestBuy, Target, Xcel Energy, Securia...

Broadband testing available

Friday, October 02, 2020

The Minnesota Rural Broadband Coalition is launching its Minnesota Speed Test Initiative. The Chair of the MN Rural Broadband Coalition, Vince Robinson, spoke about the lack of broadband in rural Minnesota and how it hampers citizen’s ability to participate in telework, distance learning, and telehealth. After collecting data from those who voluntarily participate in the speed test, the MN Rural Broadband Coalition will be able to update its current mapping of broadband speeds. This allows the coalition to get a clearer picture of broadband connections outside of the metropolitan area. Read full article.

Afton's Yellow House Vineyard Branches into Winemaking

Thursday, October 01, 2020

Cody Kaye of Afton understands all too well the phrase “you only live once.” In fact, after nearly losing his life in a rollover utility terrian vehicle (UTV) accident in 2012 when he was just a teenager, Kaye became passionate about planting grapevines, as a business, but also as a legacy, something that would remain long after he is gone. Kaye grew up in a big yellow house in Afton. His love for that home and his hometown are part of the story behind Yellow House Vineyard, a business Kaye launched in 2013. Tucked in its own micro-climate between a tre...

Bridgeman's Serves Up Scoops of the Good Ole Days in Woodbury

Thursday, October 01, 2020

Serving up scoops of premium gourmet ice cream for over 80 years, Bridgeman’s Ice Cream Parlor has become a sweet staple in the land of 10,000 lakes. Although the parlor now sells primarily wholesale through local family-owned markets and grocers, Bridgeman’s was once a brick-and-mortar ice cream dynasty with over 100 storefronts across the state. In addition to their original flagship shop in Duluth and as an ode to those good ole days, Bridgeman’s is bringing back the iconic ice cream parlor feel to the Woodbury community. With glass sundae boats and tin cups, house-made soda pop and fresh dipped cream...

Local Mom Makes Handmade Signs to Spruce Up Any Space

Thursday, October 01, 2020

As a stay-at-home mom for nearly 15 years, Jessica Stegbauer, owner and creator behind Rusty7s, was looking for a way to get in touch with her artistic side. Not knowing exactly what she wanted to do, she eventually transformed her fun hobby of creating fun-spirited, humorous and quirky signs into a full-time job. “I have always been a very creative-mind person,” she says. “[Art] is endless and there is so much you can do.” Stegbauer began creating these pieces in an open farmhouse space that was worn down and tattered. Drawing inspiration from her surroundings and as a part of a seven-membe...

COVID-19 Reshuffles The Cold Chain & Logistics Deck

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

No sector now is more active than logistics, and there is no busier niche within it than cold chain for grocery and medical needs. The busiest companies within that niche, before and since COVID-19, are automated logistics pioneers and the grocers they serve. Digital Commerce 360’s 2020 Online Food Report, released in August, analyzes the top 1,000 food-dedicated retailers, as well as mass merchants with growing sales in the category — Walmart and Amazon represent more than 60% of the online grocery market, with Walmart having the biggest market share of online food in 2019 at 31%. Read full article.

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...

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...

Hugo auto body, mechanical shop has leadership change

Thursday, September 24, 2020

HUGO — North Country Auto Body and Mechanical is now being run by a new partnership. Owner Galen Carlson and longtime employee Mark Aanenson started a partnership so that Carlson can eventually retire. The two say that Carlson’s phase-out process from the business at Hwy. 61 and 140th Street will be a slow one. Eventually, they will hire a painter to take Aanenson’s job so he can focus on learning from Carlson. Carlson said even when he is gone, he will continue to make his presence known. Read full article.

Minnesota Business Services Firms Expect Mostly Contracting Conditions in the Next Year

Monday, September 21, 2020

ST. PAUL – Minnesota business service firms expect mostly contracting conditions during the next four quarters due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with slightly more than half (52%) anticipating a decline in consumer spending and corporate profits, according to a joint survey released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Business services firms – such as engineers, accountants and architects – have a mixed outlook on their own profit projections over the next four quarters, with 49% expecting to see a drop, 34% expecting no change, and 17% anticipating an increase in profits. Read ful...

Forest Lake allocates $300,000 for COVID-19 business grant

Thursday, September 17, 2020

The city of Forest Lake has designated $300,000 of the city’s $1.5 million allocation of CARES Act funds to be used as a grant program for local businesses and nonprofits. The priority for funding is designated toward for-profit businesses and self-employed/home-based businesses on a first-come, first-served basis. Nonprofits will be funded after for-profit and self-employed businesses. For-profit businesses or nonprofits registered as 501(c)(3), 501(c)(6), or 501(c)(19) can apply for the grants. Entities must be established before Jan. 1, 2020, have a physical address in Forest Lake and be able to demonstrate the impact of COVID-19 on revenue. Read full article.

Leveraging Data for Workforce Development

Thursday, September 17, 2020

During these unprecedented times, it is more important than ever to make sure we are using all the tools we have to serve Minnesotans looking for work. Data is a hugely important tool in the Workforce Development toolbox. In order to help people know which jobs are in demand now, and are likely to be in demand for the foreseeable future, DEED's Labor Market Information (LMI) Office does weekly analysis of jobs posted in Minnesota. LMI does this by analyzing new listings in the state on the National Labor Exchange (NLx). We share this information in a public way on the Jobs in Deman...

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...

Hidden Bias: Sustaining an Inclusive Workplace

Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Workplace bias takes many forms, but the result is always the same – exclusion of members of the workforce from experiences and opportunities for which they are qualified. We all have hidden biases, and they can prevent businesses from leveraging the talents and perspectives of all members of their workforce. Throughout this series, we’ve given examples of how and where bias often shows up in the workplace, why it is important to examine and how to minimize it. But how do we know if what we’re doing is enough? Hopefully by examining bias, we are learning more about ourselves, but d...

Jobs in Demand: Computer Systems Analyst

Friday, September 11, 2020

We live in a day and age of technology with devices that can do an immense range of tasks, allowing us to do things like work smarter and quicker as well as stay connected and communicate across physical boundaries or barriers. Using a broad range of knowledge and skills in data processing and network administration, Computer Systems Analysts contribute to technological advances by implementing new or improving existing computer systems in science, engineering and business. Computer Systems Analysts are one of the highest in-demand occupations in the state, with hiring activity picking up in recent months. Demand for this occupation was also shown in recent Jo...

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 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...

Finding New Ways to Connect with Job Seekers

Tuesday, September 08, 2020

As the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) continues to highlight Workforce Development Month and celebrate our staff and partners who are committed to helping career seekers find employment, we want to take a moment to recognize just how much our job seeker services have changed in the past six months. Prior to COVID-19, most of DEED's work with job seekers was done face-to-face in our CareerForce locations across the state. The pandemic required us to make changes in how we provide services to protect the health and safety of customers and staff and slow the spread of the virus. Rea...

Looking for an entry-level position that can turn into a rewarding and family-sustaining career?

Thursday, September 03, 2020

There are many entry-level jobs in demand now that put Minnesotans on a career path to family-sustaining employment. This week in our Jobs in Demand series, the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is focusing on entry-level health care and social assistance jobs that, with additional training and certification, can help people move down a career path toward greater responsibilities with higher wages. In many cases, employers provide or pay for training leading to career advancement for dedicated employees. Getting an in-demand job and growing in that career may require training to develop new skills before you land the job. Ther...

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