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Des Moines Register | February 1, 2014
Minnesota and Wisconsin share geography, climate and ethnic heritage, but in 2010 they took sharply different political directions.
Three years might be too soon to judge the results, but so far progressive Minnesota is leaving conservative Wisconsin in the dust. Professor Jacobs noted that since 2010 Minnesota has led Wisconsin in both job creation and economic growth, sometimes by wide margins. Minnesota, in fact, is among the states with the fastest growing economies.
Does the Minnesota experience prove that raising taxes to maintain education and other public services is the key to a state’s growth? Not necessarily. Economic development is too complex to be reduced to a simple matter of taxes and spending. Minnesota must be doing some other things right, too. People and businesses have chosen Minnesota over Iowa, perhaps because the state to our north uses its high taxes to maintain first-rate public services and to enhance the quality of life.
A century ago, Iowa was more populous and more important than Minnesota. But then Minnesota began growing more rapidly than Iowa. It is now 75 percent larger in population and its people are on average more prosperous than Iowans. No single factor can explain why Minnesota outperforms Iowa, but our neighbor’s historically more progressive politics must be part of the answer. [Read More]
Cable 12 | January 31, 2014
The manufacturing floor at Tennant is a busy place on a Friday. Roughly 850 employees work on the Golden Valley campus fabricating parts, assembling complex machinery and shipping large cleaning equipment painted in their trademark "Tennant Teal." That's one reason why employment numbers at Tennant stayed relatively stable during the Great Recession while unemployment numbers nationwide crept up.
"It is that skilled, knowledge-base that makes it possible to produce the quality, reliable, highly engineered equipment and solutions that we offer," Lovik said.
According to figures released this week by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), other Golden Valley companies followed suit. In fact, the city saw job growth of 2,195 employees between 2007-2011.
"That was news to us, but it was pleasant news to receive," said Golden Valley City Manager Tom Burt.
Burt remembers those recession years of 2007–2011 as a time when property values in the city plummeted. He attributes the job growth in that time span to a number of things.
"One, we're gifted to have some outstanding employers in the community: General Mills, Allianz, Tennant, and many small, very strong, small business as well," he said. "And I think location also provides for that." [Read More]
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MPR | February 3, 2014
The Creighton University Business Conditions Index for Minnesota pointed to economic expansion for a 13th straight month in January. It did, however, slip to about 58 from December's reading of 59. Scores above 50 signal economic growth.
Durable and nondurable manufacturers in Minnesota are enjoying healthy improvements, Creighton University economist Ernie Goss said. The construction business also continues to improve, though it's still not back to pre-recession levels, he added. [Read More]
Post Bulletin | January 30, 2014
After dipping to a seven-year low of 3.4 percent in November, the Rochester metropolitan area's jobless rate rose to 3.8 percent in December.
"December's employment numbers closed out a strong year for the Minnesota labor market," said DEED Commissioner Katie Clark Sieben. "Eleven out of 12 major industrial sectors gained jobs last year, and leading indicators point to continued growth in 2014."
Rochester's rate remains below the Minnesota rate of 4.7 percent and nationwide rate of 6.5 percent. Those rates are not seasonally adjusted.
Rochester's jobless rate remains low by historic standards. A jobless rate of 4 percent is considered by some economists to be full employment, a condition where anyone who wants a job can get one. [Read More]
Pioneer Press | January 31, 2014
ProAct, an Eagan-based nonprofit that helps those with disabilities, this week received a $200,000 state grant for staff training at Minnesota Southeast Technical in Red Wing.
The training intends to make ProAct's clients more employable, according to a press release issued by the nonprofit, which serves people with physical, intellectual and developmental disabilities, those with mental health issues, traumatic brain injuries and other challenges.
The state funds flow from the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Program and will impact about 140 ProAct employees over an 18-month period. [Read More]
KARE 11 | January 31, 2014
On Friday, Gov. Mark Dayton called a meeting of the state Executive Council to extend the governor's emergency declaration related to the shortage. The declaration allows the state to continue financial assistance while also preparing to open emergency shelters, if necessary.
This week, the state also announced an increase in the amount available in heating assistance for those who heat their homes with propane and heating oil, from $500 to $1,000.
"We'll certainly do whatever's necessary 'til we get the warm weather and get through this crisis," Dayton said. [Read More]
Photo Credit: Flickr user jasonwoodhead23
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