On Thursday, December 9, 2021 we hosted a webinar presenting the results from our report on the “Amazon Effect” and rural sales tax revenues.  Along with our researchers, we heard from panelists with firsthand experience on the effects of online shopping: small business owners and county officials. Panelists included: Kelly Asche – Research Associate, CRPD ...

In our third episode of the Center of Everywhere Podcast, researcher Kelly Asche explores the topic of the amazon effect on retail and local tax revenue with UMN Extension community economics educators Neil Linscheid and Ryan Pesch. Online sales have permeated everyday life and their impacts stretch beyond convenience of shopping. Local leaders see the ...

EXCERPT: “The 2022 Minnesota legislative session is coming up fast and organizations representing communities across the state are zeroing in on a bonding bill. Bradley Peterson, executive director of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, said bonding legislation is a big-ticket item for the organization heading into the session. Peterson said the bonding bill is ...

By Kelly Asche, Research Associate Look around your community or even your nearby economic center where you do your shopping, and you may conclude that the retail sector is tanking. And yes, brick-and-mortar retail firms have been declining. But that doesn’t necessarily mean shoppers are spending less money at our physical retailers. In fact, we are spending more. And that has meant that the surviving retailers are performing rather well.  In our recent research report, “The ...

November 2021 Kelly Asche, Research Associate (CRPD) Neil Linscheid, Educator – Community Economics (U of MN Extension) Ryan Pesch, Educator – Community Economics (U of MN Extension) For a printable version of this report, click here. Online sales have permeated everyday life and their impacts stretch beyond convenience of shopping. Local leaders see the evidence ...

By Whitney Oachs, Research Associate This week the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (PCA) announced its 2022 draft list of new proposed impaired waters. Among the 305 new waterways added to that list is the St. Croix River, which is included due to having concerning levels of PFOS, a “forever chemical” used in manufacturing Scotchgard, firefighting ...

EXCERPT: “Minnesota has a strong tradition of community newspapers, says Lisa Hills, executive director of the Minnesota Newspaper Association. Unlike many areas of the U.S. that are now considered news deserts, most of Minnesota’s rural residents can still pick up a copy of a local paper like the Mesabi Tribune or Sleepy Eye Herald-Dispatch. The 270 members of the ...

EXCERPT: “The new $1 trillion dollar infrastructure package — passed by Congress Friday night — invests billions in spending. For Minnesota, there will be more than $5-billion for road, bridge, and public transit improvements. There will also be tens of millions for broadband, which is expected to have a major impact on the state’s rural ...

EXCERPT: “Greater Minnesota communities and businesses are stymied by a shortage of housing around the state, local leaders told a panel of state legislators on Tuesday, Nov. 2. Limited housing options in more rural parts of the state restricted businesses there from growing since workers can’t find homes nearby. And because the communities have lower ...

By Julie Tesch CRPD’s board members come from all over the state, representing a variety of interests. Thirteen are appointed by the Governor and two are appointed by Minnesota House and Senate leadership; all members represent different aspects of rural Minnesota. Remaining members consist of five at-large positions chosen by board members themselves.   The ...