DEED Roundup -- Oct. 20, 2014

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Oct. 20, 2014

DEED in the News

Hwy 610 groundbreaking

On Thursday, Oct. 16, DEED Commissioner Katie Clark Sieben highlighted the importance of transportation infrastructure to the state’s economic development strategy, such as the investment in the Hwy. 610 extension project.

$15M Angel Tax Credit Earmarks Money for Underserved Groups in 2015
Minnesota Business Magazine-10/13/14
In 2015, the Minnesota Angel Tax Credit will reserve $7.5 out of $15M for three high-priority startup groups: minority- and women-owned businesses as well as businesses headquartered in Greater Minnesota. DEED commissioner: 'Those groups are underrepresented. This was an effort to reach those communities and make sure we’re spurring innovation across our state.'

Will Steger: In Minnesota, Jobs are Newest Sign of Climate Change
Star Tribune-10/15/14
Today we can celebrate more than 15,300 Minnesotans working in a clean-energy economy that is creating an increasing number of high-paying jobs, decreasing dependence on fossil fuels, and improving air and water quality.

Minn Unemployment Falls to 4.1 Percent
PostBulletin.com-10/17/14
Minnesota's unemployment rate fell to 4.1 percent in September. The Rochester metropolitan area added 1,446 jobs in the past year, for a growth rate of 1.3 percent, its biggest percentage increase of any month this year. Dodge, Olmsted and Wabasha counties had 109,250 jobs in September.

After Wooing Businesses, an Effort to Fill Scott County Jobs
Star Tribune-10/14/14
Most Shakopee residents have jobs, but most have to leave town to get to them. City officials are looking to change that.

Did You Know?

Manufacturing contributed more than $43B to the state's economy last year and employs more than 300,000 workers. In all, manufacturing accounts directly or indirectly for nearly 826,000 jobs -- nearly 31 percent of all jobs in Minnesota. Minnesota Manufacturers Week is Oct 19-25.

Gears

Recent Press Releases

State Adds 7,200 Jobs in September
September gains, combined with August figures revised upward by 2,700 jobs, bring calendar year gains to a seasonally adjusted 23,000 jobs statewide. Since hitting the recessionary low point five years ago in September, Minnesota has added 212,800 jobs.

Unison Comfort Technologies Expanding Minneapolis Operations
The manufacturer of heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems is expanding its facilities in north Minneapolis and will add 75 jobs. DEED will assist with a $400,000 Minnesota Job Creation Fund grant.

Minnesota Clean Energy Employment Surges to 15,300
The Minnesota Clean Energy Economy Profile shows that employment in clean energy sectors reached 15,300 in 2014, and workers in clean energy earn high average wages of $71,000 annually. (The state average is $50,100.) The research analyzes wind power, solar energy, bioenergy, energy efficiency and smart grid and their value chains from 2000-2014. 

Recent Blog Posts

Gears

Minnesota Manufacturers Week is Oct. 19-25 -- and that's a great time to learn about manufacturing careers. 

Serving Our Clients

USDOL graphic

John Hess, assistive technology specialist at State Services for the Blind, uses the built-in accessibility features on his iPad to do much of his work. 'SSB, like many employers, is relying on mobile technology to improve productivity and agility in serving our customers. As a blind person, I can use an iPad right out of the box. Technologies like this are a great example of job accommodations that don’t cost an employer anything extra.' said Hess. Advances in technology have given workers who are blind, DeafBlind or visually impaired a wealth of options for finding solutions to do tasks like creating presentations, recording financial data, building websites or writing reports. SSB's assistive technology specialists work with employers to find the most affordable solutions for new hires or existing employees who are blind, DeafBlind, or visually impaired. Visit SSB’s technology page to learn more.