Minnesota’s Economic News – W/E 1/15/21

State and local taxes and spending

Winona PostLocal lawmakers face tough budget decisions this spring

Faribault County  RegisterCounty gets $268K more in funding

Walker Pilot-IndependentCass County receives state COVID Relief Grant funds

KSTPWalz directs $67.3M to businesses impacted by COVID-19 closures

Knox Radio: MN businesses get $67.3m in Covid relief

Labor market

Duluth News TribuneIron Range businesses have trouble recruiting workers from outside the area. A new website aims to change that

Pine JournalPandemic causes thousands of Minnesotans, especially women, to leave labor force

Economic growth

Star TribuneLakeville plastics factory to close, 122 workers affected

Star Tribune2021 looks to be slow for construction firms in U.S. and Minnesota

KSTP‘The next 3 months are going to be extremely tough’: New survey shows tough road ahead for Minnesota’s hospitality industry

Agriculture

Star TribuneFor Minnesota farmers, 2020 was nothing like they expected and surprisingly profitable

Economic development

WDIOLawmakers, environmental groups announce “Prove it First” bill

Star TribuneMinnesota lawmakers propose ban and moratorium on copper mining

John Phelan is an economist at the Center of the American Experiment.