https://www.fedamn.com Fairmont, MN Economic Development News Feed Mon, 18 May 2026 05:13:56 +0000 en-US https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/67564/5-economic-development-activities-you-might-not-know-about https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/67564/5-economic-development-activities-you-might-not-know-about Mon, 11 May 2026 05:00:00 +0000 When the average person thinks about economic development, they tend to focus on business attraction. While economic development teams do want to bring new businesses to the region, their day-to-day tasks are much more local. The Fairmont Economic Development Authority (FEDA) is actively involved in community groups and creates programs... https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/67198/unemployed-minnesota-national-guard-member-finds-perfect-employment-fit-at-the-veterans-career-fair https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/67198/unemployed-minnesota-national-guard-member-finds-perfect-employment-fit-at-the-veterans-career-fair Thu, 09 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Sarah is a member of the Minnesota Army National Guard, serving as a Black Hawk helicopter pilot. She had recently been laid off from a previous job and was unemployed when she attended last year’s Veterans Career Fair.“I remember walking into the event feeling both excited and nervous. I knew... https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/67158/fairmonts-feature-on-my-town-brightens-the-community-while-bringing-new-opportunities https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/67158/fairmonts-feature-on-my-town-brightens-the-community-while-bringing-new-opportunities Thu, 09 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000 It has been almost five months since Fairmont was featured on My Town, a YouTube series by Cory Hepola. The video already has more than 118,000 views and has sparked discussion about this community across the United States. Footage has even been shared on local news outlets in other parts... https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/67197/tips-for-hiring-teen-workers https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/67197/tips-for-hiring-teen-workers Tue, 07 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Teens can be extremely reliable, flexible workers who are quick to learn new skills. As a result, many employers value them highly as workers. Beyond meeting immediate staffing needs, employers should also think of hiring teens as an opportunity to build their workforce pipeline. Helping teens see your business –... https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/67196/tax-conformity-decisions-could-shape-minnesotas-competitiveness https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/67196/tax-conformity-decisions-could-shape-minnesotas-competitiveness Fri, 03 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Last week, we filed a new web article from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce focused on taxes, outlining three major federal tax provisions that Minnesota lawmakers are now considering whether to adopt at the state level.Because Minnesota does not automatically conform to federal tax law, the Legislature must act on... https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/67195/the-leadership-skill-thats-quietly-disappearing-in-the-age-of-ai-and-how-to-reclaim-it https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/67195/the-leadership-skill-thats-quietly-disappearing-in-the-age-of-ai-and-how-to-reclaim-it Fri, 03 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Answers arrive instantly. Summaries replace chapters. Five-minute explainers stand in for years of study. Artificial intelligence can generate perspectives, synthesize research and present conclusions before we have even fully articulated the question.From a productivity standpoint, this is remarkable. From a leadership standpoint, it is quietly dangerous. The risk is not... https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/67194/why-employees-are-giving-up-remote-work-and-moving-back-to-urban-centers https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/67194/why-employees-are-giving-up-remote-work-and-moving-back-to-urban-centers Fri, 03 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000 One of the major changes unleashed by the pandemic—and the accompanying spread of remote work—was the large migration of employees from major urban areas. With many jobs no longer anchored to city-based offices, people were free to move to almost anywhere else they preferred to live—often at lower costs to... https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/67174/where-workforce-capacity-is-being-built-and-where-its-being-deployed https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/67174/where-workforce-capacity-is-being-built-and-where-its-being-deployed Mon, 30 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000 For manufacturers evaluating new facilities or expansions, workforce questions are no longer a late-stage concern. They arrive early, shape shortlists quickly, and increasingly determine whether projects move forward at all.In a labor market defined by demographic pressure, reshoring activity, and accelerating infrastructure investment, manufacturers are learning that legacy signals —... https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/66936/student-government-day-provides-insight https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/66936/student-government-day-provides-insight Wed, 18 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Even though schools were postponed two hours, two students from Fairmont High School and 11 from Martin Luther High School still got to learn about the many facets of county government on Student Government Day on Tuesday.The first 45 minutes were spent at the Law Enforcement Center (LEC), learning about... https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/66935/meat-processing-continues-march-into-minnesota-classrooms https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/66935/meat-processing-continues-march-into-minnesota-classrooms Mon, 16 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000 "When am I ever going to use this?" is a question countless students have asked teachers about a given subject matter for generations.But it's not a question that came up during a recent afternoon at the Battle Lake High School's food sciences class, where ag education teacher Dan Ukkelberg was... https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/66931/key-business-issues-are-moving-quickly-at-the-capitol https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/66931/key-business-issues-are-moving-quickly-at-the-capitol Sat, 14 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000 It’s been another busy week, particularly at the Capitol, where several important bills are moving quickly. I want to mention two bills today that have significant impacts on Minnesota employers and, of course, Minnesota Chamber members.One of the Chamber’s top priorities this session is reinstating Minnesota’s Pass-Through Entity tax, commonly... https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/66926/an-introduction-to-the-minnesota-broadband-charter https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/66926/an-introduction-to-the-minnesota-broadband-charter Thu, 12 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Minnesota has a goal to achieve border-to-border high-speed internet access to the state. The Minnesota Office of Broadband Development (OBD) helps administer state and federal grants to achieve this goal. To deploy these linear infrastructure projects, broadband projects must navigate a complex range of permits, licenses and authorizations to ensure... https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/66934/top-women-in-construction-2026 https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/66934/top-women-in-construction-2026 Mon, 09 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000 For the fourth consecutive year, Finance & Commerce’s Top Women in Construction awards align with Women in Construction Week, and we are proud to take part in a celebration dedicated to elevating and advancing women across the industry.This year’s honorees represent communities throughout Minnesota. They have established themselves not only... https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/66933/a-little-extra-wind-could-help-shield-mn-farmers-from-instability-overseas https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/66933/a-little-extra-wind-could-help-shield-mn-farmers-from-instability-overseas Fri, 06 Mar 2026 06:00:00 +0000 Minnesota has more wind energy than we can handle, and a project in southern Minnesota wants to use the leftover capacity to power the first local, commercially available ammonia fertilizer.To start, that wind: Minnesota sits in a region that in recent years has had 4-9 million megawatt annual hours of... https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/66932/new-state-budget-forecast-highlights-opportunity-for-growth https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/66932/new-state-budget-forecast-highlights-opportunity-for-growth Fri, 06 Mar 2026 06:00:00 +0000 A week ago, last Friday, the state’s budget forecast was updated with the February forecast. The Chamber put out a statement noting that when Minnesota’s economy grows, the state’s budget outlook improves and creates economic opportunity for all Minnesotans.This new forecast is important because it serves as a jumping-off point... https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/66927/careerforce-customer-recommends-fellow-minnesotans-utilize-these-expert-nocost-programs-and-services https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/66927/careerforce-customer-recommends-fellow-minnesotans-utilize-these-expert-nocost-programs-and-services Thu, 05 Mar 2026 06:00:00 +0000 Marilyn lost her position at a government agency in October 2024 after the grant money that funded her position ended. She immediately turned to CareerForce, remembering when the program assisted her in a previous job search in 2012."I've gone through other sources for job coaching but what I've always found... https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/66929/veteran-finds-meaningful-career-with-careerforce-support https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/66929/veteran-finds-meaningful-career-with-careerforce-support Tue, 03 Mar 2026 06:00:00 +0000 Nathan served seven years on active duty before joining the Army Reserves. He served in the Reserves for 15 years as a Senior Operations Manager and retired in 2024. Eager to start a civilian career, Nathan was optimistic but soon became discouraged by the lack of responses to his applications.“I... https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/66928/shop-local-stand-together-looking-back-and-looking-forward https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/66928/shop-local-stand-together-looking-back-and-looking-forward Tue, 03 Mar 2026 06:00:00 +0000 By DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek:Minnesotans across the state continue to feel the impact of Operation Metro Surge. ICE's actions in our communities, in addition to the traumatic human impact, have had a chilling effect on scores of businesses and workers across the state. Many establishments have been left without patrons,... https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/66930/march-is-explore-construction-employment-month https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/66930/march-is-explore-construction-employment-month Mon, 02 Mar 2026 06:00:00 +0000 March is Explore Construction Employment Month in the CareerForce system in Minnesota. Throughout the month, CareerForce shares resources related to employment in construction, including upcoming job fairs, career exploration opportunities and other events.Resources for job seekers and career explorers:Find out more about upcoming construction training programs that are FREE for... https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/66925/deed-awards-19-million-in-minnesota-youthbuild-grants-for-youth-job-training https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/66925/deed-awards-19-million-in-minnesota-youthbuild-grants-for-youth-job-training Mon, 02 Mar 2026 06:00:00 +0000 The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has awarded $1.9 million to 12 organizations statewide that provide job training and wrap-around services to youth and young adults and expand affordable housing in underserved communities. The grants are anticipated to serve over 600 young people.DEED's Youthbuild program provides grants... https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/66624/prairie-lakes-added-to-mndot-map https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/66624/prairie-lakes-added-to-mndot-map Fri, 20 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +0000 A project by MnDOT to make information on public transit across Minnesota more readily available has now added Prairie Lakes Transit to its map and database.This information is made more readily available via a map, located at mntransitplanner.com. You can enter a starting point and a destination, and a route... https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/66625/ffa-week-approaching https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/66625/ffa-week-approaching Thu, 19 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +0000 Truman Lions Club Burger Bash will be held from 5 to 7 pm, Saturday, Feb. 21 at the Truman Community Building. Come and enjoy a fresh burger, beans, condiments, chips and a beverage. To-go is available.FFA week is from Feb. 21 to Feb. 28. Wear Blue Day to show FFA... https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/66626/building-project-proposals-go-to-board https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/66626/building-project-proposals-go-to-board Wed, 18 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +0000 Several building projects were considered by the Martin County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, including remodeling the county-owned building at 1200 N. State Street in Fairmont for use of county offices.County Coordinator Scott Higgins said that the building committee has talked about potentially bringing two other county offices, that the... https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/66519/silo-67-adds-natural-light-through-fedas-building-faade-loan-program https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/66519/silo-67-adds-natural-light-through-fedas-building-faade-loan-program Mon, 16 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +0000 The Building Façade Loan Program by the Fairmont Economic Development Authority (FEDA) celebrates its third year in 2026, and more than 16 businesses have improved their exteriors and invested in their buildings through its funds. One notable business, Silo ‘67, used the loan program to install exterior windows, creating an... https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/66531/how-smart-founders-are-adapting-to-the-zeroclick-economy https://www.fedamn.com/about-us/news/p/item/66531/how-smart-founders-are-adapting-to-the-zeroclick-economy Fri, 13 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +0000 Three months ago, a Series B SaaS founder told me his organic traffic was down 40% year-over-year, but he couldn’t figure out why. His content was performing well. His domain authority hadn’t changed. His rankings were stable. Everything looked fine in Google Search Console.Then we looked at what was actually...