Upcoming ICLV Columbia TripThis weekend a delegation of 80 business and community leaders from Greater Mankato will be traveling to Columbia, Missouri as part of the fourth InterCity Leadership Visit. While there the group, made up of individuals from the private, community based, nonprofit and public sectors, will study innovative ideas and best practices that may be adapted to the Greater Mankato region.

Our elected officials have the power to make decisions that impact the vitality of our regional marketplace. It is because of this reason that elections are one of the most important and effective ways citizens can make their voices heard.On Tuesday, November 3 residents in the Mankato Area Public School District will be asked to select from seven candidates to fill four positions on the School Board. Additionally, Saint Peter residents will be asked to elect a mayor and three City Council members along with their school board.One of Greater Mankato Growth’s key objectives in public affairs is to provide education, resources and opportunities for engagement on public policy issues to our members, which enables you to be your own best advocate when you get to the polls.This post is a “one stop shop” that contains all the information you’ll need to fully exercise your right to vote. You can also check out our online election portal at greatermankatoelections.com. Please share this information with your employees, colleagues, friends and family and remember to vote on November 3.

As you may have seen in news reports halkan iyo halkan, Blue Earth County Commissioners are considering passing a new .5% sales tax to fund transportation projects in the county. Now is the time for businesses and the community to weigh in with their thoughts on this proposed tax. Below you'll find neutral information about the tax and why it is being considered along with various options for how you can weigh in with Commissioners on this issue.

Are you a new or existing businesses in Greater Minnesota? Will you be adding at least three new jobs? Do you need to provide training to those new employees? If so, then you'll want to consider applying for a state grant from the new Barnaamijka Dhiirigelinta Tababarka Shaqada administered by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The program provides grants of up to $100,000 that eligible businesses can use to train workers in new jobs.

[caption id="attachment_298" align="alignright" width="300"]Mankato Candidates Candidates for Mankato Area Public Schools Board.[/caption]With all the talk of Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton and the presidential race, you'd think the next election was in November 2016. But wait! there are important local elections in November 2015 that voters need to consider first.
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