Economic development
DEED announces prequalification process for $652 million in federal broadband funding
DEED announces prequalification process for $652 million in federal broadband funding 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.…
Read MoreChild Care Economic Development Grants Announced
Child Care Economic Development Grants Announced 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 child care…
Read MoreMinnesota Expanding Opportunity Fund Program
Minnesota Expanding Opportunity Fund Program 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 CDFIs that are…
Read MoreDEED: Minnesota jobs and labor force grow again in December
DEED: Minnesota jobs and labor force grow again in December 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…
Read MoreThe State of Rural 2025 now available
The State of Rural 2025 now available 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 future…
Read MoreGMNP announces 2025 policy priorities
GMNP announces 2025 policy priorities 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 bill that meets…
Read MoreDEED: Four Greater MN cities receive BDPI awards
DEED: Four Greater MN cities receive BDPI awards 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
Brownfields & Beyond 2025: Call for Presentations & Sponsorship Opportunities 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…
Read MorePublic comment period open for MnCIFA draft Investment Strategy
Public comment period open for MnCIFA draft Investment Strategy 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…
Read MoreFinal grant round for DEED Main Street Economic Revitalization funds now open
Final grant round for DEED Main Street Economic Revitalization funds now open 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…
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