Greater Mankato Growth, Author at Greater Mankato

24 Nov What We Know about the Proposed MN State Relief Packages

Posted at 12:45h in Advocacy by Greater Mankato Growth 0 Comments

Update: Details of the final relief bill have not yet been announced. A special session is expected to take place on December 14, 2020 and state leaders are optimistic that legislators will be able to work out an agreement by that time.

MN State Government leaders announced two proposed relief packages for businesses and individuals who have been impacted by the recent shutdown and COVID-19 in general. Legislators are still working through the details of both packages with a final relief package expected to be released on December 1. Greater Mankato Growth will share additional information as soon as it becomes available.

Here's what we know about the Governor's proposed package:

Direct relief through the Minnesota Department of Revenue is planned for all 14,000 businesses affected by the shutdown.
- Details on this are not specific, but Governor Walz referenced direct payments to businesses and waiver of regulatory fees. Governor Walz also called for a moratorium on eviction for small businesses.
Extension of unemployment benefits by 13 weeks to individuals who have been on long-term unemployment.
Direct payments of $500 to families receiving MFIP or DWP benefits.
A one time grant is being proposed for restaurants to supply healthcare workers, homeless shelters, and long-term care facilities.
Proposed tax credit for businesses that donate food that would otherwise spoil or be thrown away.

18 Nov MN Governor Announces Dial Back on Social Activities

Posted at 17:39h in Advocacy, Business Development by Greater Mankato Growth 0 Comments

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Today, Governor Tim Walz announces Executive Order 20-99 taking effect on Friday, November 20 at 11:59 p.m. (CST). 

In general, key points from the Governor’s announcement include:

16 Nov Shop Local This Season and Beyond

Posted at 13:39h in Business Development by Greater Mankato Growth 0 Comments

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We’re fast approaching the holiday shopping season and whether you start shopping before Halloween, or wait until the last minute, there is a big emphasis on supporting local businesses this year.

Whether you realize it or not, YOU are playing a role in our community and YOU are individually stimulating the local economy with your support and in turn, helping support Greater Mankato’s unique character and personality. When you support local, money is kept in the community because locally-owned businesses often purchase from other local businesses, service providers, and farms. Purchasing local helps grow other businesses as well as our region’s tax base. In fact, for every dollar spent at a small business in the U.S., approximately 67 cents stays in the local community. So when you support local all year long — you can help create a BIG IMPACT.

10 Nov Governor Walz Announces Changes to Social Setting Limitations

Posted at 15:34h in Advocacy, Business Development by Greater Mankato Growth 0 Comments

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Today, Governor Tim Walz announced Executive Order 20-96 (click the link for full details) , taking effect on Friday, November 13 at 10 p.m. (CST). The announcement amends Executive Order 20-74 with specific steps for social gatherings and guidelines for bars and restaurants. In general, the order calls for the following measures: Limits all social gatherings (indoor...

30 Oct Update on Greater Mankato Growth’s Restaurant Advocacy Efforts

Posted at 16:23h in Advocacy by Greater Mankato Growth 0 Comments

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Over the past several months, Greater Mankato Growth has been at the table on behalf of it’s members participating in weekly calls with the Department of Employment & Economic Development (DEED) officials to obtain first-hand information, advocate, ask questions and provide feedback from the Greater...

30 Oct Haven’t Voted Yet? – Check Our Election Resources

Posted at 16:09h in Advocacy by Greater Mankato Growth 0 Comments

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With four days left to election day, we would like to remind area voters that there are resources available to help you vote at GreaterMankatoElections.com. Our website has election resources that can help you determine where and how to vote and can help you decide between candidates, if you have not done so already. Our website contains candidate questionnaires ranging from local races to the race for Minnesota's 1st Congressional District. In addition, you can find saved recordings of the candidate forums that we hosted as well as links to forums hosted by other organizations in our community.

Important! A recent decision by the US Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals has held that all mail in ballots received after 8pm on Election Day must be set aside, with the expectation that a future ruling will invalidate those votes. We are encouraging all voters with outstanding absentee ballots to submit those ballots in person.

TRACK YOUR BALLOT: https://mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us/AbsenteeBallotStatus.aspx

29 Oct #GoodJobsNow – DEED Launches Campaign to Connect the Unemployed With Quality Jobs

Posted at 12:48h in Business Development by Greater Mankato Growth 0 Comments

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Want a free way to leverage promotion of your employment opportunities to the whole state? The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has just launched the #GoodJobsNow campaign, an initiative designed to let job seekers know that companies across multiple industries are still hiring for quality jobs that pay a living wage. In the announcement of the campaign, DEED Commissioner Steve Grove said, "Right now, as many Minnesotans face uncertainty, DEED is working to provide job seekers with job opportunities and career training resources through virtual CareerForce services, our regularly updated 30 Jobs in Demand list, the Dislocated Worker Program and now the #GoodJobsNow visualization.” Target industries for this campaign in the Greater Mankato Area include manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, transportation, construction, and IT.

23 Oct COVID-19 Community Resource Grant Guidelines

Posted at 13:46h in Business Development by Greater Mankato Growth 0 Comments

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Blue Earth County recognizes the important role certain community support organizations play in providing needed services for Blue Earth County residents, particularly in times of economic distress. Community support organizations that help provide housing services, food, childcare programs, employment opportunities, and access to social and...

19 Oct Untapped Talent: Refugees, Asylees and Immigrants

Posted at 15:26h in Business Development by Greater Mankato Growth 0 Comments

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In May 2020, we published the first of a two part series in Connect Business Magazine. Our initial article spoke to why businesses should incorporate refugees, asylees and immigrants into their workforce. In the upcoming issue of Connect Business Magazine, part two will be published, which outlines some key community resources that can help businesses with this effort. As our initial article was published while businesses across our region were closed, we have received permission to republish a portion of the article below, for those who may have missed it:

15 Oct Additional Nicollet County Grant Funds Available to Help Small Businesses and Non-Profits

Posted at 18:23h in Business Development by Greater Mankato Growth 0 Comments

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A second round of grant funding is being offered to small businesses and non-profits in Nicollet County that have been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The first round of funding was offered in September.

Grant awards will be provided to businesses and non-profits that experienced interruption, closure or significant revenue loss as a result of the public health emergency. Grant awards will be up to $10,000 based on eligibility. Businesses and non-profits with up to 50 full-time equivalent employees can apply. The first grant round was limited to businesses and non-profits with up to 20 full-time equivalent employees.