News and Media

Make the Connection Between Employees and Prospective Employers

Monday, January 30, 2023

Quality, engaged employees are one of the engines that put life into a small business. Finding those individuals is often an extremely difficult and time-consuming task for owners and human resource managers. What’s Next CEO is a new resource in Washington County for business leaders to find or train employees. Additionally, residents looking to enter the workforce can get access to organizations that can help them expand their skills or advance their careers. Connecting employers with prospective employees What’s Next CEO has a resource database that specializes in assisting small businesses with their workforce needs. These organizations provide direct job placement service...

Be Part of the Collective Strength of What’s Next CEO

Monday, January 23, 2023

Being a small business owner or entrepreneur can feel like a lonely, overwhelming cause at times. The Washington County Community Development Agency’s new program - What’s Next CEO - offers business executives critical support with the tools, resources and opportunities necessary to run a successful company. Leadership across companies operating in the Twin Cities East Metro region can benefit from the collective knowledge gained by others over years of experience in various disciplines. View our diverse partners available to offer their expertise now, from resolving supply chain bottlenecks to developing consistent streams of quality workforce sources. What’s Next CEO is her...

Comparative Analysis: Where Does Your Business SizeUp?

Monday, January 16, 2023

If information is power, then SizeUp is the most powerful tool your business needs! SizeUp is a free business intelligence tool available with What’s Next CEO to help business leaders make smarter decisions. Having difficulties finding suppliers to complete your operations and customers for your finished product? SizeUp will provide maps of each. Trying to understand the impact of potential competitors in a new sector you may be interested in pursuing? SizeUp will not only locate them but can benchmark how your business would stack up against them. Put SizeUp to Work for Your Company SizeUp can also help identify the bes...

Hiring? You May Qualify for the Worker Opportunity Tax Credit

Monday, January 09, 2023

The Worker Opportunity Tax Credit allows businesses to reduce their tax liability by up to $9,600 per new hire, regardless of the size of the business, as long as it is for-profit. Workers qualify even if they are part-time or seasonal. There is no limit to the number of new hires an employer may claim in a calendar year, so this can save your business a lot of money if you’re in the hiring phase. Worker Opportunity Tax Credit: How to Apply To apply for the Worker Opportunity Tax Credit, you’ll need to meet the IRS 28-calendar day filing deadline from th...

How to Register with SAM.gov & Pursue Government Contracting Opportunities

Tuesday, January 03, 2023

Registering for SAM.gov is one of the first steps a business must take to pursue government contracts. There are contracts released through this platform for all types of government agencies, ranging from small one-time procurement opportunities to multi-year contracts. Washington County businesses can use this opportunity to grow and we encourage you to do so. How to Register with SAM.gov While there are a lot of questions to answer to finish the registration, it is definitely worth the time and effort if you get a government contract. Before registering, watch this video to learn what to expect so you can gather th...

How to Find Solutions to Supply Chain Challenges

Tuesday, December 27, 2022

Supply chain challenges are impacting businesses in Washington County and throughout the world. Locally, we are fortunate to have an ecosystem of local companies who can sometimes step in to fill supply gaps. Through What’s Next CEO, we hope to connect business owners to solve this issue further. In addition, organizations like the SBA have put out information on resources and tactics that can help to shore up supply chains. In “The Bottom Line: Finding Solutions and Navigating Supply Chain Challenges,” representatives from the SBA and local businesses discuss some of the best practices they are seeing for solving supply chai...

Tips from Lawyers on Buying or Selling a Business

Monday, December 19, 2022

The SBDC’s video titled “Realizing the Dream: M&A Under $100k,” showcases law professors discussing how to help entrepreneurs buy or sell a small business and how they have structured the deal. “Small business deals can sometimes be more complicated than mergers of large corporations,” said Tom Sharbaugh, Director of the Entrepreneur Assistance Clinic at Penn State Law. “There are a lot of deals under $100,000, such as selling a barber shop or a restaurant and these entrepreneurs typically can’t afford to hire a full suite of accountants to complete audited financial statements, for example. In fact, we often see employee...

New Growth Loan Fund Supports Washington County Entrepreneurs

Monday, December 12, 2022

A new loan fund is available for Minnesota's entrepreneurs - the Growth Loan Fund. “Minnesota was recently named by Startup Genome as the 4th top emerging startup market in the entire world,” said Commissioner Steve Grove. “If you look at the ecosystem here, the proximity to the Fortune 500 market, the access to talent we have - this makes us an incredible place to start a business. But getting the capital you need to get moving can be challenging. That’s why we have launched the Growth Loan Fund.” The fund provides loans directly from DEED to innovative technology businesses that hav...

Join other small business owners at the What’s Next CEO Roundtable

Monday, December 05, 2022

Challenges and issues arise for small businesses on a seemingly daily basis. Nothing helps those running these businesses as knowledgeable peers who ‘have been through it before.’ Fortunately for those in Washington County, What's Next CEO Roundtable offers exactly that helpful forum. What’s Next CEO Roundtable is a professional business meeting between peers - not a networking event. The group will consist of individuals responsible for the whole operation of a business with annual revenue between $500,00 and $5 million. Participants will be able to have open, confidential discussions in a secure environment to exchange information and ideas on concerns, problem...

Supporting Small Businesses Offers Big Success in Washington County

Wednesday, November 16, 2022

Promotions supporting small businesses are becoming more commonplace, from social media platforms to vibrant main streets. But why is getting the word out about these dynamic enterprises necessary? Small independent retailers are more intertwined with and dedicated to their local towns and cities than chain competitors. A recent study by the University of Minnesota - Duluth included research from the American Independent Business Alliance, which indicated 48% of each purchase at local independent businesses gets recirculated locally, compared to less than 14% of purchases at chain stores. In Washington County, money spent at small businesses helps lower taxes, create jobs and foste...

Support for Entrepreneurs is an Investment in Washington County’s Future

Tuesday, November 08, 2022

Small businesses are the engine that drives every community’s economic health. The U.S Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Advocacy reports that 33.2 million small businesses in the U.S. employ 61.7 million individuals, which is 46.4% of U.S. employees. In Minnesota, 1.3 million people work at nearly 535,000 small businesses. Therefore, if the small businesses are the engine, the entrepreneurs behind those businesses must be the fuel, providing the energy for job creation and economic resiliency throughout the community. The Washington County Community Development Agency (CDA) is proud to recognize these drivers of economic development with the resources and connections necessary t...

Read the October 2022 Woodbury Magazine Digital Edition

Thursday, October 13, 2022

I’ll be the first to admit it—I’m a fan of pumpkin spice. Yes, that includes the infamous pumpkin spice latte, pumpkin bread, pumpkin muffins … You name it, I’ll enjoy it. And, that’s my favorite thing about October; the overwhelming amount of pumpkin-infused products. I adore going to the pumpkin patch each year and carving (or painting) jack-o’-lanterns. Back in August, I had already stocked my coffee cart full of pumpkin-inspired syrups and pumpkin-covered mugs; in September, I filled my closet with pumpkin-toned sweaters; and this month, I’m relishing all of the pumpkin-flavored goodies that I can get my hands on. On...

Analysis: What geographic increases in remote work from Census survey may mean for office markets

Monday, September 26, 2022

The U.S. Census Bureau released data from its 2021 American Community Survey earlier this month, including metrics that show how much work-from-home has increased since the Covid-19 pandemic. Read full article.

Fostering community partnerships

Monday, September 26, 2022

CareerForce is all about partnership. Forming new and growing existing community partnerships helps us serve Minnesotans even better. DEED staff and our Leading CareerForce partners across the state are actively engaged in this outreach. Community partnerships include working with more than 50 local libraries to provide customers with career exploration and job search resources. These partnerships also include our collaborative relationships with local housing agencies, shelters, food shelves, adult education locations, schools and other community- based organizations around the state – and we’re planning to grow our reach in the years to come. Read full article.

Chestnut Street Plaza improvements continue into October

Friday, September 23, 2022

Construction on the Chestnut Street Plaza Improvements is progressing well, according to a release from the city of Stillwater Generally, work will start with underground improvements before completing surface concrete work and pavers. Underground work will continue into October before surface improvements can start. Read full article.

Minnesota construction companies retaining workers in volatile labor market

Friday, September 23, 2022

As shake-ups alter the landscape of the state’s labor market, a new report shows that construction is one of only two sectors that saw increased retention throughout Minnesota. Read full article.

Downtown Hugo project moves ahead to council

Thursday, September 22, 2022

HUGO — For many years, motorists have driven by the vacant Egg Lake property across from City Hall and wondered if redevelopment plans would ever come to fruition. The City Council will consider a project known as Downtown Hugo Oct. 3, after the Planning Commission unanimously recommended the council approve a preliminary plat and planned unit development (PUD) general plan. Read full article.

Job hunting can be scary, so RMCEP takes a lighthearted approach to reaching customers

Thursday, September 22, 2022

This week during Workforce Development Month, we're focusing on ways CareerForce is reaching people who could use career exploration and job search services through community events. Leading CareerForce partner Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program (RMCEP) recently went above and beyond with a super engaging, fun and unique way to reach community members. RMCEP staff dressed up as Ghostbusters characters – to chase away fears about engaging in a job search – and to connect community members with employers in a rolling job fair in Pierz, Minnesota. RMCEP’s rolling job fair drew attention to positions at nine local employers who are activel...

Make Hiring a Part of Your Manufacturing Day Celebration!

Thursday, September 22, 2022

Maintaining and developing a skilled workforce capable of meeting the needs of your manufacturing company is an ongoing task. Recruiting, hiring and training those necessary individuals is more complicated than ever in today’s economic environment. Hosting a Manufacturing Day Event may be the perfect method to increase your ability to find the workforce you need! This year, National Manufacturing Day is October 7 and is the ideal opportunity to educate the future workforce on the realities of modern careers in their facilities. Read full article.

New DEED Research Reveals Most Minnesota Workers who Recently Switched Employers Saw Real Wage Gains

Thursday, September 22, 2022

St. Paul – New research from the Labor Market Information (LMI) Office at the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) takes a closer look at job mobility patterns of workers in the state, with a focus on wage impacts. This research helps economists, employers and others understand worker mobility in the context of inflation that is outpacing average wage growth and high rates of workers choosing to leave or change employers during this tight labor market. Senior Labor Market Research Analyst Alessia Leibert utilized Unemployment Insurance Wage Records and other sources to conduct the research for her article Jo...

CareerForce Spotlight: Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council

Thursday, September 15, 2022

This week, the CareerForce spotlight is on the Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council! Staff members at SWPIC, as they are known, have partnered with local organizations to help serve area residents who speak languages other than English, meet the needs of local health care providers, educational institutions, employers and more. There are very diverse counties in Southwest Minnesota, including Nobles County, the second most diverse county in the state of Minnesota. It is estimated that there are 84 different languages and/or dialects spoken in Nobles County. Nearly a third of the residents speak a language other than English at home. ...

This month, Zephyr Theatre entertainment is also served up on Papa’s Rooftop

Thursday, September 15, 2022

Entertainment mixed with good food and St. Croix River views will continue this month. Each Wednesday night through September, Zephyr Theatre performers will sing while guests eat a three-course meal at Papa’s Rooftop at the Water Street Inn in Stillwater. For the third year in a row, The Zephyr has partnered with the Water Street Inn to provide the open-air Broadway on the Roof event. Read full article.

Get on the Path toward Prosperity in Rural Minnesota

Monday, September 12, 2022

Finding quality workers has become a common concern for employers across the country. In northwest Minnesota, that scarcity is growing and is one of the most significant barriers to future economic growth. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) estimates a 1.2% loss in workforce numbers by 2030 as more of the Baby Boom generation leaves the labor force. In response to that need, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development has committed $13.5 million to a Pathways to Prosperity (P2P) grantee program to provide clear career pathways to Minnesotans with systemic barriers to employment. The program emphasize...

Governor Walz Announces Minnesota’s Second Quarter Exports Soar to Record High

Friday, September 09, 2022

[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz announced today that exports of manufactured, agricultural, and mining goods from Minnesota were valued at $6.7 billion in the second quarter of 2022, reaching the highest level on record. Minnesota exports grew 12 percent between the second quarters of 2021 and 2022. "Minnesota's workers and businesses are fueling, feeding, and supporting the global economy," said Governor Walz. "Our record-breaking exports demonstrate that the world recognizes the value of doing business in Minnesota. We will continue building partnerships abroad that allow our local economies to thrive." Read full article.

Oakdale, MN: A Place of Interest

Thursday, September 01, 2022

The drastic impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on communities across the country has been well documented. One positive side effect is that residents are turning a focus inward on their cities or towns. As Oakdale, MN residents spent more time at home with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, they looked to see what their city offers. What they saw was a community with plentiful amenities and room to grow. “With its great schools, excellent parks, trails and recreation options all within easy access to many parts of the Twin Cities, Oakdale is quickly becoming a place of interest,” sai...

Farmers Markets: More than Fresh Produce

Tuesday, August 09, 2022

Farmers markets are summer staples of communities across the country, but they are often considered small operations with limited or niche products. But the truth is they are big business. In 2020, the USDA reported that farmers markets had $514 million in direct-to-consumer sales. Farmers markets are more a chance for many to obtain fresh, organic foods. They are an outlet for local farmers and small businesses to support themselves, create local jobs and cultivate strong communities. Washington County Commissioner Fran Miron understands that concept, as he and his wife own and operate the Miron Family Dairy & Crop Farm. “As ...

Cottage Grove: The Place to Be for Business

Thursday, August 04, 2022

Summer is always prime construction time in Minnesota. Cottage Grove, located less than 15 miles from St. Paul, 2022 has proven to be even more active than typical. Construction is underway on one of the largest industrial developments in Minnesota at Cottage Grove Logistics Park off 100th Street South and Ideal Avenue. NorthPoint Development representatives joined city, county, state and federal officials at the site on May 26 to break ground on the 3.4 million-square-foot project. The NorthPoint Development project is a $373 million capital investment in Cottage Grove and will consist of nine industrial buildings totaling 3.4 million square feet o...

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