Year: 2018

EXCERPT: “Looking for the hottest economic region in Minnesota? Drive about an hour southwest of the Twin Cities and you’ll find it in Greater Mankato. With one of the fastest-growing economies in the state, a revitalized downtown and a growing mix of restaurants, retail, entertainment venues and everything else a big city offers—without the traffic jams—residents, ...

Providing housing for a community or region’s population is complex and dynamic. A healthy housing market should be able to provide housing for most people and their diverse needs through a combination of natural churn and new construction. In rural areas, however, economic and demographic forces are at work creating a housing shortage that many communities ...

EXCERPT: “Cook County and the city of Grand Marais are teaming up to create a regional park just north of the city. The proposed Sawtooth Bluff Regional Park would be built on 640 acres already owned by the county and city. There is also potential to acquire two additional parcels in the future, a 78-acres ...

  This week we talk with IRRB Commissioner Mark Phillips about economic development on the Iron Range and the impact of trade tariffs on the iron ore industry.

EXCERPT: “One of the most common significant struggles for most small cities across the state is the balance between funding critical projects and other necessities and limiting the amount of burden they put on their residents. Top it off with the proposed LGA budget being less than it was in 2002 for this year the ...

EXCERPT: “A proposal moving quietly through the Legislature would take a step toward closing gaps in mental health facilities. The bill would provide $80 million for state grant programs to construct six mental health crisis centers around the state that cities, counties, hospitals and other public entities would operate to serve mentally ill and chemically dependent ...

EXCERPT: “The Minnesota Department of Transportation is looking for individuals and organizations to join the more than 4,100 groups and 16,000 people in the state who are Adopt a Highway volunteers. The program, which realized an estimated $6 million benefit in 2017, is a public service project that helps reduce litter along the roadsides. It’s been ...

EXCERPT: “The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency on Wednesday said it will use $47 million paid by Volkswagen for the company’s air pollution violations to pay for cleaner school buses, electric car charging stations and other cleaner vehicles across the state. PCA officials said they received more than 1,000 public comments in recent months on how ...

  This week we finish our conversation with Center board member and Minnesota Farm Bureau President Kevin Paap. Kevin touches on the Farm Bill and health insurance for farmers.