In the News

Mankato Faces Tighter Labor Market
Mankato Free Press-7/27/16
Plenty of evidence points to a surging economy in the Mankato area in recent years. But a pair of numbers has local business leaders concerned. The supply of workers in the area is expected to decline by 827 in the next four years, driven by the increasing number of baby boomers reaching retirement age. Factor in projected job growth of 1,995, and the number of new workers who will need to be attracted to the area reaches 2,782. 

St. Louis Park Projects Win DEED Funding
St. Louis Park Sun Sailor-7/28/16
A development that would replace the former Vescio’s Cucina restaurant and Valu Stay Inn in St. Louis Park was approved for a grant from DEED. The agency approved $160,162 in cleanup funding for the Parkway 25 project. In a separate cleanup grant, DEED approved $428,550 to remove pollutants from a site at 6475 Wayzata Blvd. slated for a car dealership.

Did You Know?

CreditCards.com ranked the Twin Cities second in the country for residents' money management skills, thanks to high average credit scores in the metro area. Los Angeles was No. 1 in the study.

Press Releases

Study Documents Job Disparities
An analysis by DEED found that Minnesotans from minority communities earn less than white Minnesotans and are less likely to be employed full time after earning a college degree or other post-secondary credential. DEED looked at employment outcomes two years after graduation for American Indians, Asians, blacks/African Americans, whites, people of two or more races, and Hispanics.

Willmar Site Certified Shovel Ready
An industrial park located on the west side of Willmar has been certified for the Shovel Ready Program by DEED. The 181-acre site in the Willmar Industrial Park is the 31st site designated in Minnesota and the second site in the nine-county area around Willmar to be certified under the program.

Wagner SprayTech Plans Expansion
Wagner SprayTech Corp. announced plans last week for a renovation and construction addition at the company’s headquarters in Plymouth. The company plans to invest $8.44 million and create 66 jobs. DEED supported the project with a grant of up to $684,500 from the Job Creation Fund.