News

Via South Central Minnesota EMS, rural emergency medical services across Southern Minnesota and Martin County are accessing interactive training through virtual reality.Before, Regional Executive Director Mark Griffith said all of their emergency simulations required a lot of equipment, which had to travel from its home base to wherever in the...

With the work for the $1.95 million Public Owned Housing Program (POHP) grant upcoming for the Housing and Redevelopment Association (HRA) at Friendship Village, a piece of the work fell into place at their Thursday board meeting.In either Fall 2026 or Spring 2027, the HRA is looking to do removal...

At its meeting last month, the Fairmont Economic Development Authority (FEDA), along with the Fairmont City Council, heard a presentation about the results of a housing study done by Bowen National Research.Fairmont Economic Development Coordinator, Ned Koppen, said that after the presentation it was said that a subcommittee should be...

Doug Loon (DL): Welcome back to this week's Minnesota Business Podcast. Another great week at the Chamber. We celebrated manufacturing, all those innovators and employers across the state who make amazing products. And during our Manufacturers' Summit this week, we named the Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota.We've talked about this...

For years, the path to project approval ran through economic development offices, with discussions centered on capital investment and job creation. Once zoning and permitting approvals were in hand, financing was secured, and incentives were negotiated, success could be seen on the horizon.Not anymore.Today, there is a new sheriff in...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development recently announced nearly $25 billion in rural community investments nationwide in fiscal year 2026. These projects strengthen essential infrastructure, expand housing and business opportunities, and ensure rural families and farmers have the tools they need to succeed.In West Virginia, Rural Development invested more...

Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced a $180 million investment to launch the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Seed Sovereignty Initiative, a major effort to both strengthen U.S. agricultural security by protecting the plant genetic resources that underpin American agriculture and enable breakthroughs in U.S. agricultural innovation.This...

A client came to me not long ago with a problem that looked simple on the surface.Her business was good. Her customers loved her. Her content was consistent, and she had a following that engaged. But month after month, the needle barely moved. New customers were not coming in. The...

The states at the top of Area Development’s 2026 ranking do not win on a single measure. They assemble a broad operating proposition: workers who can support increasingly technical production, sites that can move quickly, public partners capable of making decisions and a cost structure that remains competitive after a...

Housing inventory is limited across the United States, with the country falling short of 4.7 million units as of 2025. A lack of available housing hurts rural communities by limiting growth – new families can’t move to smaller areas if there aren’t houses, apartments, and other places to live.The City...

Governor Tim Walz will travel to Denmark, Sweden, and Iceland from Sunday, September 27, through Saturday, October 3, 2026, to strengthen international partnerships, promote Minnesota as a destination for business investment, and expand opportunities for Minnesota companies and workers."Minnesota is a global leader in innovation, research, agriculture, and business because...

The vision of Regional Workforce Development Area One, which includes Local Workforce Development Area One and Two, in Northwest Minnesota, is a healthy economy where employer and employees alike are given the opportunity to strive. Employees succeed with family sustaining employment and employers in successful prosperous business. Through sector partnerships...

Easier parking? Outdoor dining? Greenspace? The city of Fairmont is in the midst of seeking public input on potential downtown improvements via a survey. The survey, which can be taken online from a desktop or cell phone, went live late this week and will stay up until Sept. 11.Improving certain...

We’ve had a terrific week at the Chamber, but today I want to reflect for a minute on a recent conference that I attended for state chambers of commerce from across the country. The Association of State Chamber Professionals held its annual conference last week, and I’m so pleased to...

Minnesota’s economic engine is powered by more than 100,000 businesses, a diverse landscape interconnected in ways not understood by the casual observer. For a select group, Leadership Minnesota opens the window to a behind-the-scenes look at what makes our state’s economy tick. This exclusive program also helps you understand how...

New data from July show that over the year, Minnesota added 44,092 jobs, a 1.5% increase that significantly outpaced the national job growth rate of 0.2% according to data released by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Minnesota's private sector also grew 1.5% over the year compared...

At Tuesday's Fairmont Park Board meeting, the prospect of a parks master plan was explored and discussed.In doing Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) projects with the City Council through workshops, City Administrator Jason Baker said they have been developing a variety of master plans and citywide assessments."One of those that I...

Ahou thanks Vivien Fowler at Leading CareerForce Partner Washington County for strong support through the ups and downs of a long job search – and eventual employment that is a perfect match. Here’s Ahou’s story in her own words:“When I first connected with CareerForce in Cottage Grove, I was actively...

Finding employment after a long time out of the workforce can be a major challenge, even if a person has work experience and educational credentials.Cherie came to Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program (RMCEP) after being out of work for four years. Cherie held an Associate of Arts degree and while...

By Doug LoonPresident and CEOMinnesota Chamber of CommerceI’m coming to you this week following primary night, which from the Chamber’s perspective marks the beginning of the next phase of this year’s important 2026 election season. The candidates who emerge this fall will have an opportunity to shape policies that affect...

What could be simpler than water? Or more complex? For many industrial and advanced manufacturing projects, water is becoming a first-tier site selection variable alongside power, labor, and transportation infrastructure. Evaluating a site’s water readiness now goes beyond asking whether water service exists. Corporate users increasingly need to understand available...

The 2026 Business Facilities Global Rankings highlight the countries and regions demonstrating strength across key areas of corporate investment and growth. From foreign direct investment and artificial intelligence to specialized industry clusters and headquarters advantages, the rankings reflect the changing dynamics influencing global site selection decisions.FDI Leaders: U.S. Maintains Global...

When a major economic development project is announced, public opinion is often set before the first public meeting begins. Residents who trust their local economic development organization are more likely to approach a project with curiosity, ask thoughtful questions, and give leaders the benefit of the doubt. Those who don't...

Signed into law last month by President Trump, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act aims to cut away some of the red tape currently driving the shortage of affordable homes in the U.S. In a new report, Realtor.com took a look at how some of those changes are poised...