Category: Rural Headlines

EXCERPT: “Asked who she’d like to have read the state’s report about its strategies to adopt a more driverless future in Minnesota, Kristin White went straight to the point. ‘Anyone and everyone — anyone in Minnesota who uses transportation,’ she said. ‘We want to make this a collaborative process leading into the future.’ White is ...

EXCERPT: “For the past several years, manufacturers and other large employers throughout Greater Minnesota have been dealing with a shortage of workers – a scenario that has only found staying power in a strong economy with low unemployment. MinnPost chronicled the issue two years ago, noting that many companies were either operating short-staffed or holding ...

EXCERPT: “Cities, counties and townships that charge building fees on new homes banked $78 million more than what they needed for inspection costs over the last five years, a study released Tuesday, Aug. 20, showed. The fees are supposed to offset the cost of the inspection expenses at the municipal level. But affordable housing advocates ...

EXCERPT: “The latest monthly survey of bankers in parts of 10 Plains and Western states indicates a shrinking rural economy, and three-quarters of bankers said President Donald Trump’s trade policies are having a negative effect on their local economies. The Rural Mainstreet survey released Thursday shows the its overall index falling from an already anemic ...

EXCERPT: “The Federal Communications Commission announced Monday it will provide $28.5 million in broadband funding to rural households in Minnesota. The FCC says the money will benefit more than 8,000 homes and businesses in Minnesota that are currently unserved. The funding, which providers will begin receiving in late August, will be distributed over the next 10 ...

EXCERPT: “Opponents of the public option have funded an analysis that warns more rural hospitals may close if Americans leave commercial plans for Medicare. With the focus on rural hospitals, the Partnership for America’s Health Care Future brings a sensitive issue for politicians into its fight against a Medicare buy-in. The policy has gone mainstream among ...

EXCERPT: “With the promise of providing more options for the local community, the Red Lake Trading Post is on the cusp of opening, completing a process years in the making. Dozens of people filed into the multi-purpose store for a blessing ceremony Tuesday afternoon in anticipation of the store’s opening this weekend. The Red Lake Trading ...

EXCERPT: “After a few days of sweltering heat broke with an afternoon storm, the bells rang at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Rollingstone, Minn. as parishioners passed through its doors for Saturday mass. Formed by immigrants of Luxembourg who settled in the area, the church recently celebrated its 150th birthday in June. The roughly 400-member ...

EXCERPT: “A shortage of child care spots is not a problem unique to Sleepy Eye. In fact, it is an issue throughout Minnesota. Sleepy Eye’s EDA Coordinator, Kurk Kramer, said it has been on the agenda at the Economic Development Association of Minnesota conferences for the past five years. The availability of child care is ...