State Government
‘Like a recession that happened overnight’: a Q&A with DEED Commissioner Steve Grove
In an interview, Grove said DEED’s goal has been to tide businesses and workers over until federal relief can reach them.
DEED
Good Jobs
Is the latest DHS scandal really about DHS? Or even a scandal?
DEED had more than double the amount of contract infractions DHS did. And the violations at both agencies mostly involved technical mistakes: No state money was actually spent before contracts were finalized or purchases were approved, say state officials.
Good Jobs
Regulatory burden: Are DEED’s accountability measures for job-training programs doing more harm than good?
Minnesota’s economic development agency requires partner nonprofits to report a lot of data, even as agency officials and legislators acknowledge the information isn’t critical for program evaluation.
Good Jobs
A push to bolster Minnesota’s tech economy takes shape
The Legislature re-instituted an “angel” tax credit and created “Launch Minnesota” to nurture the state’s tech scene. Lawmakers also agreed to spend $40 million on a grant program to help build infrastructure for rural high-speed internet.
Twin Cities Business
We still don’t know what Minnesota was prepared to offer Amazon to win HQ2
The nonprofit Public Record Media filed suit last year against Minnesota’s Department of Employment and Economic Development and regional economic development group Greater MSP to reveal details of the bid.
Good Jobs
‘The innovation economy and its growth in this state is critical’: a Q&A with new DEED Commissioner Steve Grove
Grove, who once worked for YouTube and founded the Google News Lab, moved back to Minnesota from California last year before being picked to lead DEED.
Good Jobs
‘If we are not making investments in our future, we will be in trouble’: a Q&A with outgoing DEED Commissioner Shawntera Hardy
As Hardy leaves DEED, the agency can boast about Minnesota’s record-low unemployment numbers and a overall robust economy. But that doesn’t paint a complete picture of the state’s workforce.
Politics & Policy
State pulls grant contract after questions about legislator’s potential conflict of interest
DFL Sen. John Hoffman authored a bill that made it far more likely that Ally People Solutions, where he works as the marketing director, would be awarded a state grant.
Good Jobs
‘The challenges we have are clear’: a Q&A with new DEED Commissioner Shawntera Hardy
Hardy’s appointment comes at a time when the Governor and policymakers are increasingly emphasizing equity in conversations about the state’s economy.
