December 4, 2017
In the News
The Legislature approved nearly $122 million for water projects last year, but it was just a drop in the bucket of the more than $11 billion that will be needed over 20 years for Minnesota cities. "Cities are getting to the point where, really, it’s costing them a lot of money to deal with it in a piecemeal fashion, and they’re sort of facing up to and taking on these larger projects,” said Jeff Freeman of the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority.
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DEED was allocated $160 million for workforce training programs in the 2018 fiscal year, but is there any evidence that those programs actually work? “Overwhelmingly what we see is that participants of a workforce training program see substantial earning increases and strong increases in employment,” said Rachel Vilsack. “It really suggests that program participation helps job seekers find work quicker than they otherwise would have.”
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Spectro Alloys Corp. announced it will invest $5.5 million to expand recycling capabilities at its Rosemount aluminum recycling facility. The investment will add jobs, expand recycling capabilities, and improve melting safety and efficiency. The project was approved for a $146,000 grant from DEED's Job Creation Fund.
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Yolanda Barahona sees herself as an artist first and a baker second. Her Worthington startup, Nena's Cakes, has been so successful that she is expanding to a shop in Heron Lake, with support from DEED's Emerging Entrepreneur Loan Program.
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Recent Press Releases
Minnesota exports of manufactured, agricultural and mining products reached $5.4 billion in the third quarter, their highest level since late 2014, according to figures released last week by DEED. State exports were up 11 percent from the same period a year ago. U.S. exports were up 5 percent during the quarter.
The city of Kelliher was awarded nearly $2 million in grants and loans from the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority and other government entities for upgrades to its water and sewer system. Kelliher, a city of about 260 people in north-central Minnesota, will use the funding to replace a water tower and water main and to rehabilitate its sewer collection system.
The
Minnesota Public Facilities Authority approved a grant and loan totaling more
than $2.3 million to connect Mantorville’s sewer system to a treatment plant
in neighboring Kasson. Mantorville,
a city of about 1,200 people in Dodge County, opted to connect its sewer system
to Kasson’s facility instead of renovating an existing facility along the
Zumbro River in Mantorville.
Did You Know?
Minnesota tree farms produce about 500,000 Christmas trees every year, with an estimated market value of $30 million. For every tree that is cut down, one to three new trees are planted. The Minnesota Christmas Tree Association has more details on its website.
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