Minnesota’s Economic News – W/E 1/15/21
State and local taxes and spending
Winona Post: Local lawmakers face tough budget decisions this spring
Faribault County Register: County gets $268K more in funding
Walker Pilot-Independent: Cass County receives state COVID Relief Grant funds
KSTP: Walz directs $67.3M to businesses impacted by COVID-19 closures
Knox Radio: MN businesses get $67.3m in Covid relief
Labor market
Duluth News Tribune: Iron Range businesses have trouble recruiting workers from outside the area. A new website aims to change that
Pine Journal: Pandemic causes thousands of Minnesotans, especially women, to leave labor force
Economic growth
Star Tribune: Lakeville plastics factory to close, 122 workers affected
Star Tribune: 2021 looks to be slow for construction firms in U.S. and Minnesota
Agriculture
Star Tribune: For Minnesota farmers, 2020 was nothing like they expected and surprisingly profitable
Economic development
WDIO: Lawmakers, environmental groups announce “Prove it First” bill
Star Tribune: Minnesota lawmakers propose ban and moratorium on copper mining
John Phelan is an economist at the Center of the American Experiment.