DEED in the News
After a five-year effort to bring broadband internet to rural Minnesota, state leaders believe the finish line is in sight. Under Gov. Tim Walz’s proposed budget, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development would spend $35 million in both 2020 and 2021 to support the Border-to-Border Broadband Development Grant Program. That $70 million will put the state on track to hit a statutory goal of extending broadband to all Minnesotans by 2022, DEED Commissioner Steve Grove said Wednesday.
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Steve Grove is a collaborative kind of guy. Even the Minnesota state tattoo on his rib cage was a group effort. His dad, brother and brother-in-law sport the same one. "I never thought I'd get a tattoo. But doing it with your family? It's a special bond," he said. Grove — a former Google executive who's now head of DEED — grew up as the oldest of four kids in Northfield. The 41-year-old ran track and worked summers at his dad's landscaping business. Today a visit to his old hometown means a walk down memory lane — one he literally built.
Private investment related to Destination Medical Center totaled $262 million in 2018, according to a report being sent to DEED. That number — double the amount recorded in 2017 — includes $126.5 million from Mayo Clinic and $135.4 million in other private investment. Notable projects include the nearly-complete Hilton hotel ($50.4 million of the total $125 million investment counted toward the 2018 amount) along with upgrades to Mayo’s St. Mary's campus.
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Recent Blog Posts
An HR executive, truck loader, court reporter and physical therapist will be among 25 Minnesota professionals who are blind, DeafBlind, or low-vision networking with blind students at the 2019 Career Expo sponsored by State Services for the Blind. The Expo highlights the diversity of career paths for job seekers who are blind.
Prosperity and opportunity for all people in all parts of our state stems from the well-being of their community. Governor Tim Walz’s budget ensures that communities are thriving – not just surviving. His budget expands access to affordable childcare and housing, invests in infrastructure and broadband internet, and gives local leaders the tools they need to succeed. In total, the Budget for One Minnesota represents an investment of $432 million in community prosperity investments over the next two years, with an additional $1.9 billion in transportation and infrastructure.
Recent Press Releases
Governor Walz proclaimed March 20 to be “Small Business Development Centers Day” in Minnesota, recognizing the important role Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) play in supporting the more than 500,000 small businesses in the state. Minnesota is joining SBDCs throughout the nation in celebrating #SBDCDay on March 20, 2019.
Minnesota lost 8,800 seasonally adjusted jobs in February and the state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 3.1 percent according to figures released by DEED. The U.S. unemployment rate was 3.8 percent in February. Minnesota's total over-the-year job growth slipped into negative territory in February, with 1,364 fewer jobs than at this time last year. This is the first month of annual job decline since July 2010.
DEED announced that Hamse Warfa has been named Assistant Commissioner for Economic Opportunity. This new, external-facing role will work with stakeholder groups, DEED partners, and local officials across the state to promote DEED programs. The role will also serve as a way to listen and solicit feedback from under-represented communities across Minnesota on how DEED can best serve these populations.
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