Category: Rural Headlines

EXCERPT: “The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has awarded $344,000 in Launch Minnesota Innovation Grants to 13 high technology startups. In round two of grant funding, Launch Minnesota awarded 13 business operations grants and two housing/childcare grants. Of the 13 business awardees, 73% are women, veteran or minority-owned or are headquartered in ...

EXCERPT: “Minnesota’s public airport system generates $18.2 billion in annual economic activity statewide, according to a new study the Minnesota Department of Transportation released today that details the economic impact of the state’s 133 public airports. The Minnesota Statewide Airport Economic Impact Study documents the broad economic impacts of the statewide system, and provides detailed ...

EXCERPT: “Launch Minnesota announced this week that it awarded grants to six organizations that will create regional hubs to establish a network that will advance Minnesota’s startup ecosystem. The seven selected organizations, along with nearly 60 program partners, will form the Launch Minnesota Network to help Minnesota-based high-tech startups take their businesses from concept to launch. ‘The ...

EXCERPT: “Children’s Minnesota is launching neonatal virtual care partnerships with six hospitals across Minnesota and in Wisconsin. Physicians at partnering locations now have 24/7 access to Children’s Minnesota’s Level IV neonatal expertise, the highest designation by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Recently, Children’s Minnesota neonatology program was also ranked among the top in the country by U.S. News and World Report . . . Partnering hospitals ...

EXCERPT: “The administration of Gov. Tim Walz is getting closer to finalizing its plan to adopt a set of auto emission and electric vehicle regulations aimed at fighting climate change. But while it doesn’t need the Legislature’s approval to move forward, skeptical lawmakers in both parties ripped the proposal on Wednesday as misguided, particularly for rural ...

EXCERPT: “Fire departments throughout Minnesota are expressing concern about the dwindling number of people willing to do the job. They presented the issue to state leaders Wednesday, hoping lawmakers could help come up with solutions. ‘If we don’t look at ways to try to draw people in, it’s going to be an issue in years ...

EXCERPT: “Far from the big names such as Industrious and WeWork, Greater Minnesota coworking providers are finding ways to make smaller communities and greater distances work for them. From Winona to Moorhead, small local coworking outfits, many sponsored by local governments or nonprofit groups, are meeting the demand for flexible work space. And while they don’t ...

EXCERPT: “In 2019, the Legislature passed a slate of laws to reduce fraud in Minnesota’s largest child care subsidy. Now, state lawmakers are considering whether to give new money to the program and raise tuition reimbursement rates for low-income families to meet federal standards. State Sen. Jim Abeler, R-Anoka, said changes to the Child Care ...

EXCERPT: “In terms of local government aid, 2019 was a red-letter year that set the stage for the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities to push other issues it believes are hampering communities in rural outstate areas — most prominently, a hefty 2020 bonding bill to address a deepening child care crisis and numerous infrastructure projects. ...