News

What Businesses Are Saying About the Entrepreneurial Program at Bertha-Hewitt Schools

Wednesday, September 04, 2019

Bertha-Hewitt public schools have implemented an entrepreneurial program that gives students the skills necessary to start and run a business - both for themselves and for local employers. “We want them to learn all aspects of running a business that will help them be more employable to fill jobs in our region,” said Eric Koep, Superintendent of the Bertha-Hewitt Public Schools. It’s working. Students Learn About Finance, Sales, Marketing and Production Students are graduating after having learned about finance, sales, marketing and running operations. The program ensures they are well rounded in their business knowledge by the time they graduate. This way...

Bertha-Hewitt Public Schools Are Training Future Entrepreneurs and Skilled Workers

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Students at the Bertha-Hewitt public schools undergo a rigorous academic curriculum designed to prepare them for college or technical school. They also learn how to be entrepreneurs. “We believe teaching students about entrepreneurship will help them in whichever path they choose after school. We want to show students that they can be successful right here in our community. We don’t expect all of them to start their own businesses; we want them to learn all aspects of running a business that will help them be more employable to fill jobs in our region,” said Eric Koep, Superintendent of the Bertha-Hewit...

Business Succession Planning Lunch and Learn Series: Long Prairie

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Free September/October Business Succession-Transition workshops Todd County Development Corporation (TCDC), through a grant from the Initiative Foundation, is presenting a series of “Lunch and Learn” workshops on “Business Succession/Transition” in Long Prairie. Our four-part series will cover general, legal, accounting and financial planning considerations your business whether you are buying, selling, retiring or transferring ownership to a family member or partner. These sessions will feature a professional who will discuss key focus areas to consider and be available for questions and answers. All sessions are “Free” with lunch provided. Please RSVP to Rick at 320-732-2128 or rick.utech@co.todd.mn.us

Business Succession Planning Lunch and Learn Series: Staples

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Free September/October Business Succession-Transition workshops Todd County Development Corporation (TCDC), through a grant from the Initiative Foundation, is presenting a series of “Lunch and Learn” workshops on “Business Succession/Transition” in Staples. Our four-part series will cover general, legal, accounting and financial planning considerations your business whether you are buying, selling, retiring or transferring ownership to a family member or partner. These sessions will feature a professional who will discuss key focus areas to consider and be available for questions and answers. All sessions are “Free” with lunch provided. Please RSVP to Rick at 320-732-2128 or rick.utech@co.todd.mn.us

Free September/October Business Succession-Transition workshops

Thursday, August 22, 2019

“Why does Business Succession/Transition matter?" The Small Business Administration has estimated that 60% of small businesses will change ownership over the next 10 years. According to a recent survey, 58% have not created a specific plan. Todd County Development Corporation (TCDC), through a grant from the Initiative Foundation, is presenting a series of “Lunch and Learn” workshops on “Business Succession/Transition” in both Long Prairie and Staples. Our four-part series will cover general, legal, accounting and financial planning considerations your business whether you are buying, selling, retiring or transferring ownership to a family member or partner. These sessions will feature a professional wh...

Minnesota Adds 3,300 Jobs in June

Monday, July 29, 2019

Labor force participation rate increases to 70% ST. PAUL – Minnesota gained 3,300 jobs in June and the state’s unemployment rate held at 3.3% according to figures released by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The U.S. unemployment rate was 3.7%. May’s previously announced gain of 100 jobs was revised upward to 2,000 jobs. The state has now gained jobs in four consecutive months for the first time since February 2018. Annual employment growth rebounded to 20,992 for a 0.7% gain. Minnesota’s labor force participate rate also inched up a tenth point to an even 70%. Continue to full article

Minnesota Business Firms Expect Stable Conditions in 2020

Friday, July 26, 2019

Annual survey by DEED, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis measures stability of business services ST. PAUL – Minnesota business service firms feel positive about the economy, with 86 percent expecting sales revenue to increase or remain stable next year, according to a joint survey released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Business services firms are less optimistic however that labor availability will grow or remain stable in 2020. Seventy-nine percent expect labor availability to remain stable, while 13 percent expect a decline. Only 8 percent of respondents anticipate labor availabilit...

Pro Ag Farmers’ Cooperative Receives Todd County Development Corporation’s Economic Impact Award

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Pro Ag Farmers’ Cooperative is an active member in Todd County’s agricultural community. As a farmer-owned cooperative, they are locally owned and controlled – in place to help enhance the profits and productivity of the local farming community. Today, Pro-Ag has nine facilities and over 867 voting members – each with a say in how the cooperative is managed and profits disbursed. This is part of a longstanding tradition that Pro-Ag and local cooperatives have for ensuring that business and economic control remains, as much as possible, with local producers. You could say that this tradition was cemented in 1919 b...

Minnesota Hops Take a Giant Leap Forward

Tuesday, July 16, 2019

What exactly do Minnesota-grown hops taste like? Beer lovers, gather round, we are in receipt of some of the biggest Minnesota-beer news of all time. First off, Minnesota's poised to break our all-time hops harvest this year, with 100,000 pounds coming out of Mighty Axe hops in Foley, just north of St. Cloud. That's more than before Prohibition, it's more than ever. But that's only the start of this story, because Mighty Axe founder, hops-champion, and CEO Eric Sannerud feels so strongly that the hops he's growing are unique in the world, in terms of their flavor and aromas, that he's rebrande...

Community Appreciation Award Given to L.E.A.P.

Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Todd County Development Corporation chose non-profit L.E.A.P. (leadership, engagement, advocacy & positiveness) to receive its 2019 Community Appreciation Award for their exemplary commitment to community and economic development efforts in Todd County. “L.E.A.P. is a strong community non-profit partner who has shown a dedication to enhancing the quality of life for our local residents, businesses and community well-being as exemplified by Chairperson Tim Rice, said Rick Ultech, Executive Director of the Todd County Development Corporation. L.E.A.P. is comprised of many talented and dedicated individuals who have a strong commitment to improve the quality of life in the Staples area. The purpos...

Seeking Partners for Child Care Economic Development Grants, and Business Development Grants

Thursday, June 20, 2019

Getting high quality business development assistance at the right time is critical for the success of entrepreneurs and small businesses. I believe the state’s commitment to providing this assistance is one reason Minnesota ranks third in the nation in five-year business survival. Another way we can assist in economic development is through grants to help communities address shortages in child care. As a father of two toddlers myself, I understand how a lack of quality care impacts not only the parents who need it in order to work, but also the businesses that desperately need workers and want to employ them. We’re focused on supporting the economi...

Launch Minnesota: Come Help Us Grow Minnesota’s Startup Ecosystem

Tuesday, June 18, 2019

One of the most exciting outcomes of the 2019 Legislative session for DEED was the creation of a new program called Launch Minnesota. Designed to nurture technology startups and entrepreneurs across the state, Launch Minnesota will work with private industry to create financial incentives and programming to demonstrate that Minnesota is committed to fostering an innovation ecosystem that draws global attention. The program concept grew out of a collaboration between DEED and the Minnesota Legislature – with legislators on both sides of the aisle making meaningful contributions. It is a joint initiative with private businesses and nonprofit organizations statewide. Read full article.

2019 New State Fair Foods

Saturday, June 01, 2019

The Minnesota State Fair’s 2019 new foods roster includes the perennial mix of attention-seekers, potential gut bombs and trend-observant hopefuls. Sixty-five proposals were under consideration this year, and 31 were selected. Seven new vendors will grace the fairgrounds this year, although some did not make the fair’s official “new foods” list, which means there will be even more novel options to encounter. “These vendors don’t have what are considered a ‘new’ food to the fair,” said State Fair spokeswoman Lara Hughes. “We already have cookie dough and ice cream sandwiches.” Which explains why deep-fried cookie dough at Kora’s Cookie Doug...

New Minnesota Grown Directory Features 1,000+ Local Farms and Markets

Monday, April 15, 2019

The new Minnesota Grown Directory is now here, highlighting products and services available directly from Minnesota farmers and farmers markets. This year’s publication features 1,023 members from across the state. The Minnesota Grown Directory is searchable by region, farm name, or product. It includes locally grown fruits and vegetables, meats, dairy items, wineries, nurseries, Christmas trees, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) operations, and more. Click here to view the complete release.

Budget for One Minnesota: Closing the Opportunity Gap

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

A report by 24/7 Wall Street ranked Minnesota as the second-worst state in the country for racial equality. Although U.S. Census figures show income gains and lower unemployment rates for Minnesotans of color, we’re still experiencing drastic inequality in these areas across the state. Governor Walz’s Closing the Opportunity Gap investment continues direct appropriations made in the 2018-2019 biennial budget and funds competitive youth employment programs that target at-risk youth. Read full blog post.

Lip balm from Todd County goes to Iraq

Friday, April 05, 2019

U.S. soldiers serving overseas frequently find themselves working in all types of weather conditions. Spending so much time outdoors often wreaks havoc on their face and lips. The Todd County Corn and Soybean Growers came to their rescue by donating soy-based lip balm to soldiers in Iraq. Read full article.

Budget for One Minnesota: Broadband

Wednesday, April 03, 2019

Access to robust broadband is a critical factor in the economic and social sustainability of all Minnesota communities. In 2014, the state of Minnesota set a goal of border-to-border broadband access by 2022, signaling that access to quality broadband service should be a right for all Minnesotans. Read full article.

Minnesota STEP Grant Program helps businesses with export related activities

Monday, April 01, 2019

The STEP program helps Minnesota businesses that are looking to sell their wares outside of the country. The Minnesota State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) grant program is looking to award funds to Minnesota businesses planning to grow their exports. The STEP program provides financial and technical assistance to qualifying Minnesota small businesses with an active interest in exporting products or services to foreign markets. Participants may be first-time exporters or companies that are currently exporting but are interested in expanding into new international markets. The grant is operated by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Read full blog post.