Category: Our Research Reports

Addressing Diversity: Making a Difference in our Communities (2003)

After the release of the report in December 2001 we had a real desire to provide some tangible assistance to communities that were experiencing rapid demographic transformation and diversification. We found that, as with most things, some communities were very active in their diversity efforts while other communities were not. Accordingly, we began to compile ...

How will rural Minnesota fare with the 2003 legislature?

When the Minnesota Legislature reconvenes on January 7, 2003, much will have changed. Two primary changes are first that 36 of the state’s 67 legislative districts now fall within the seven-county Twin Cities metro area. This translates into seating 108 metro area legislators, more than twice the 51 metro area legislators that were seated in ...

2002 Rural Minnesota Internet Study Examining the telecommunications needs of Greater Minnesota companies

The purpose of this study is to establish a baseline from which rural Minnesota’s manufacturing and technology-based companies can be monitored in their technology adoption and deployment. Of equal importance is its ability to help organizations like Minnesota Technology Inc. to better focus their technology and business assistance activities in Greater Minnesota. Overall, the study ...

Securing Rural Energy (2002)

On March 15th a bill became law mandating that all diesel fuel sold in the state of Minnesota be blended with a minimum of 2-percent biodiesel by 2005. Arguing that a biodiesel mandate is good for the environment, good for the rural economy, and maybe most importantly, will help us reduce our dependence on foreign ...