In December, researcher Sarah Harstad Ph.D, released a report titled “Rural Minnesota Business Succession and Sale: Barriers and Opportunities“. On this episode, Director Research, Marnie Werner, dives deep into the research with Sarah discussing her findings.

On December 11, 2024, researcher Sarah Harstad Ph.D, presented her research exploring some of the unique barriers and opportunities for business succession planning in rural Minnesota. Her presentation was followed by a panel discussion with experts in the field; Jon Keimig, Executive Director, University of St. Thomas Family Business Center Michael Darger, Extension Specialist, University ...

December 2024 By Sarah Harstad, Ph.D. The future is here Minnesota is facing a threat to the economic and social life of rural areas. According to data from the U.S. Census, 53% of Minnesota business owners are over age 55.[1] The state boasts over 525,000 businesses,[2] but due to this “silver tsunami” that has already ...

EXCERPT: “Over 500 hospitals have closed their labor and delivery departments since 2010, according to a large new study, leaving most rural hospitals and more than a third of urban hospitals without obstetric care. Those closures, the study found, were slightly offset by the opening of new units in about 130 hospitals. Even so, the share ...

EXCERPT: “As temperatures plummet, some people who are unsheltered and homeless have had to find a way inside to stay safe. It’s a difficult time of year for the roughly 10,000 people in the state who have unstable or no shelter. Often people without stable housing live unnoticed and without the safety and care they need. ...

EXCERPT: “Operating costs are creating challenges for apartment owners and developers in Greater Minnesota, where housing needs are especially acute, according to a report by the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Insurance costs, interest rates and staffing shortages were identified as three roadblocks for rental housing owners and operators in the region, according to the report, which was ...

November 2024 By: Kelly Asche, Senior Researcher After the release of our report exploring the declines in nursing facility beds, we received a question wondering if there was any relationship between facilities that closed and the type of license (nonprofit vs. for-profit) they were under. So let’s explore that question. Between 2005 and 2024, there ...

On this episode, Marnie Werner interviews Jakub Tolar who is the Dean and Vice President for Clinical Affairs for the University of Minnesota Medical School. They discuss the new commitment by the school to develop a new campus in St. Cloud with the mission to serve rural Minnesota.  

Download the slide show presentation here. Nearly 17% of Minnesota residents are now over age 65, a significant increase since the year 2000. Further, as older members of the Baby Boomer generation age into their late 70s, the demand for skilled nursing beds will likely increase – yet Minnesota has lost 33% of its skilled ...

EXCERPT: “Insurance, interest rates, and staffing are common challenges for rental housing owners and operators in Greater Minnesota, a region made up of 80 of the state’s 87 counties and home to 45 percent of its population.1 That’s according to conversations with dozens of multifamily property owners there this summer. They told us that while ...