DEED Roundup-March 7, 2016

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March 7, 2016

In the News

Addressing Economic Disparities
Rochester Post-Bulletin-3/4/16
Commissioner Sieben told the editorial board of the Rochester Post-Bulletin last week that she expects significant efforts during the upcoming legislative session to address economic disparities in Minnesota. The commissioner said DEED will be pushing for increased funding of the Pathways for Prosperity program, which helps identify career pathways for low-income residents, as well as youth workforce development and efforts to help grow minority-owned businesses in the state.

Shovel Ready logo

DEED's Shovel Ready Program Growing
Finance and Commerce-3/4/16
North Branch is trying to draw developers to a 250-acre industrial park near Interstate 35 – the largest industrial site in the state to receive Shovel Ready certification from DEED. The city- and county-owned site is the 29th site in Minnesota to be recognized by the growing certification program, state officials say.

Did You Know?

Three women office professionals

Minnesota is the best state in the nation for women's economic and social well-being, according to a new report by consumer website WalletHub. The same report ranked the state fourth for women's health care and safety. Gov. Dayton last week proclaimed March to be "Women's History Month" in Minnesota.

 

 

Recent Press Releases

Calyxt logo

Calyxt Building Headquarters in Roseville
Agricultural biotech firm Calyxt Inc. has been approved for a $477,000 grant from the Job Creation Fund for a new headquarters and research facility in Roseville. Calyxt, which specializes in developing crops with healthier characteristics (such as wheat with reduced gluten and soybeans with less saturated fat), plans to create more than 60 jobs over the next three years.

State Selected for SNAP Jobs Program
Minnesota is one of 10 states that will take part in SNAP to Skills, a first-of-its-kind national effort to help states design improved employment and training programs for adults participating in the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The program will be administered by DEED in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Human Services.

State Exports at $20 Billion in 2015
Minnesota companies exported $20 billion worth of manufactured, agricultural and mining products in 2015, according to figures released last week by DEED. State exports were down 7 percent from record exports of $21.4 billion in 2014. Exports also fell 7 percent nationally last year, with only eight states posting gains.

North Branch Site Certified Shovel Ready
Interstate Business Park in North Branch has been certified for the Shovel Ready Program by DEED. The 250-acre site is located about 40 miles north of St. Paul, just off Interstate 35 at 400th Street and Fletcher Avenue. The former farmland is zoned for industrial use. The site is the state’s largest industrial park.

SciTechsperience logo

Internship programs are a great way for companies to reduce the cost of doing business while cultivating new talent. One of those internship programs is SciTechsperience, which offers opportunities for Minnesota businesses to work with talented college STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) students to develop solutions for real world challenges. Participating companies receive matching funds of 50 percent of the intern’s wages up to $2,500. Learn more details about this exciting program here.