Minnesota’s economic news, w/e 3/9/17
Economic development
Fairmont Sentinel: Blue Earth nets $7.9M loan
Echo Press: EDITORIAL: It’s not so bad around here
Rochester Post Bulletin: New bill would set aside millions to help businesses in SE Minn.
Star Tribune: Community solar garden will be latest economic addition to West Broadway corridor on North Side
Inforum: Commentary: Dayton’s public works proposal is Minnesota common sense
Hutchinson Leader: Taking care of business
Duluth News Tribune: Great Lakes coalition descends on D.C.
Detroit Lakes Online: New study reveals significant impact of arts and culture on Becker County economy
Owatonna People’s Press: Rep. Brian Daniels: Tax Reform: Economies looking up at the state, national level
See our commentary on this here.
Trade
Winona Daily News: Three questions facing Minnesota in wake of steel, aluminum tariffs
Fox 21: Proposed Tariffs Could Have Significant Impact in the Northland
Minn Post: Trump’s metal tariffs may provide a miner boost, but Minnesota industries see major problems ahead
Star Tribune: Tariff threats are bad for Minnesota
See our commentary on this here.
State taxes
Albert Lea Tribune: Column: Lawmakers should be cautious with surplus
Wahepton Daily News: Minnesota projects $328M budget surplus
See our commentary on this here and here.
Minimum wage laws
Southwest Journal: City wins court case on minimum wage
Star Tribune: Counterpoint: Minnesota legislator’s wage comparison shortchanges the public sector
Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal: Judge rejects challenge to Minneapolis $15 minimum wage
La Crosse Tribune: Target, seeing better candidates, raises starting pay, again
Aberdeen News: Target’s remake is accelerating, at a cost
WCCO: Target Takes Big Risk In Race To Modernize
Go MN: Target raises hourly minimum wage to $12
Agriculture
Farm Forum: Community Supported Agriculture Farms now accepting sign-ups
Energy
Daily Energy Insider: Business Council for Sustainable Energy releases 2018 Minnesota State Energy Factsheet
Labor market
MPR News: Minn. gains 2,500 jobs in January; 2017 gains cut
Star Tribune: Unemployment rate steady as Minnesota adds 2,500 jobs in January
Pioneer Press: MN gained 2,500 jobs in January, unemployment remained steady
Twin Cities Business Magazine: Minnesota is Falling Behind the Nation in Job Growth
Reliable Plant: Minnesota Adds Manufacturing Jobs
See our commentary on this here.
John Phelan is an economist at Center of the American Experiment.