Minnesota lawmakers likely to spend $100 million on broadband. How far will that go?
Gov. Tim Walz and some legislators had originally proposed $276 million in state spending on broadband this year.
Economic Vitality in Greater Minnesota
MinnPost’s coverage of economic vitality in Greater Minnesota explores the economic issues, and opportunities, that affect the region — examining the role that government, nonprofits, businesses, community leaders and individuals can play in addressing them.
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Senate GOP blocks infrastructure bill amid pressure campaign on rural Minnesota lawmakers
Republicans held firm in voting against bonding in an effort to advance tax cuts at the Legislature.
Why a group of rural Republicans helped the DFL pass a bonding bill in the Minnesota House
Votes from House Republicans in favor of a bonding bill were notable in an era of political gridlock, but Senate Republicans still aren’t on board.
Minnesota Democrats might spend big in bid to fix a struggling child care industry
Gov. Tim Walz has proposed billions to expand a child care tax credit, increase subsidy rates for low-income families and provide monthly payments for child care teachers. How much will pass the Legislature?
Why Walz wants to spend $276M on broadband on top of nearly $1 billion in federal funds
The money would propel the state toward its goal of having universal access to high-speed internet by 2026, which might cost $426 million in the next four years, according to one estimate by the state’s broadband task force.
Minnesota GOP stops ‘bail out’ for Cleveland-Cliffs as part of mining unemployment extension bill
The $10.27 million plan would extend unemployment benefits for laid off Iron Range workers while a Cleveland-Cliffs taconite mine in Babbitt and a processing plant in Silver Bay remain idled.
Leaders at the Capitol say Minnesota has chance to ‘go really big’ on housing
A budget surplus, DFL control and high needs leave housing leaders at the State Capitol feeling optimistic.
FCC rejects internet funding in Minnesota, nation, for embattled LTD Broadband
“We cannot afford to subsidize ventures that are not delivering the promised speeds or are not likely to meet program requirements,” FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said in a news release.
Capitol watchers ‘befuddled’ by rare bonding bill stall under legislative dealmaker Tom Bakk
The veteran DFL state senator who recently turned independent was tapped to help lead the Legislature’s efforts to finance public construction projects across the state. So far, there’s been no deal.
How opioids, meth have forced Minnesota counties to rethink foster care
“We have gotten the message that the answer (to fewer foster care cases) is prevention,” said Nikki Farago, the assistant commissioner of Children and Family Services at the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
In a tight labor market, Greater Minnesota businesses think creatively about how to hang on to workers
Traci Tapani of Wyoming Machine says the cost of not being able to fill open positions is much higher than the cost of investing in strategies that can help workers keep their jobs. And she said taking some risks has “produced some great employees.”
Pizza in the pasture: Rural Waseca pizza farm adds to southern Minnesota’s agri-tourism
Five years ago, after renovating a horse barn, adding a kitchen to it, clearing a pasture in back and building a music stage, Emily Knudsen and Bill Bartz opened Pleasant Grove Pizza Farm.
A tale of two school districts: How open enrollment is playing out in Greater Minnesota
During the 2016-2017 school year, about 25,000 students open-enrolled into “rural” districts, a recent study found, while about 15,000 students open-enrolled into “regional centers.”
Gaylord sees transformation in proposed osteopathic medical school
New osteopathic schools, or branches of existing ones, have opened in 16 states in the past five years, according to the American Osteopathic Association.
For Minnesota cities and counties, the 2019 increase in state aid was long awaited
International Falls will get an increase of $153,000, which it uses it for essential services like paying police officers and funding the public works department. In Mower County, an increase of about $255,000 will go into the county’s general fund.
Healthy competition: Why Greater Minnesota cities are investing in sports and recreation
Willmar and other Minnesota towns want to attract professionals, young families and others who might be looking for an alternative to the suburbs.
For all the talk of an urban-rural divide, Minnesota’s small towns and big cities face a lot of the same challenges
The Minnesota Equity Blueprint is an ambitious set of policy ideas aimed at addressing some overlapping problems in rural and urban areas.
No place like home: Looking to expand, electronic parts giant DigiKey scouts the Midwest — but stays put in Minnesota
The decision to expand in Thief River Falls heartened the town of 8,600, whose identity has become increasingly tied to the fortunes of the growing company.
Small towns near Rochester hope — and plan — for DMC-fueled growth
“We want to make sure that if and when that growth hits us that we are prepared for it,” said Beth Carlson, the mayor of Lewiston.
Superior pitch: Small companies harness North Shore’s branding power
Such micro-branding efforts have roots in what marketers call “place branding” – efforts by regions or states to create a unique sense of place.
