#Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development

[minnesotafollower]

Minnesota Will Suffer from a Crackdown on U.S. Immigration  

Today “Minnesota is home to about 480,000 foreign-born residents, comprising about 8.5% of the population, according to the state Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Those residents tend to be younger than Minnesota’s native-born population, and most are in their prime working years, filling jobs from agriculture to education to health care. Between 2011 and 2021, immigrants…

[beardedmrbean]

WASHINGTON − The Supreme Court on Monday rejected the appeal of a Minnesota woman who said she was wrongly denied unemployment benefits after being fired for refusing to be vaccinated for COVID-19 because of her religious beliefs.

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development determined she wasn’t eligible for benefits because her reasons for refusing the vaccine were based less on religion and more on a lack of trust that the vaccine was effective.

The case shows that the vaccine debate continues to smolder after the pandemic and after the Supreme Court in 2022 halted enforcement of a Biden administration vaccine-or-testing mandate for large employers but declined to hear a challenge to the administration’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care facilities that receive federal funding.

Still pending is an appeal from military chaplains who challenged the military’s vaccination requirement. Although that requirement was later rescinded at the direction of Congress, the chaplains argue they lost out on training opportunities and promotions because they requested religious exemptions.

'Cancel culture' Supreme Court rejects case on dust-up between Catholic student and Native American

Minnesota said the unemployment benefit appeal denied Monday wasn’t worth the Supreme Court’s time because benefits have been given to others who were found to have a sincerely held religious objection to the vaccine, so there’s no overarching question to address.

Lawyers for the Upper Midwest Law Center, which represented Tina Goede, had argued she was treated differently by the Minnesota courts than others who successfully appealed their denial of benefits. 

Refusing to get vaccinated, fired from a pharmaceutical company

After refusing to get vaccinated, Goede was fired in 2022 from her job as an account sales manager for the pharmaceutical company Astra Zeneca. Her position had required her to meet with customers in hospitals and clinics, some of which required proof of vaccination.

She told the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development her religious beliefs prohibit injecting foreign substances into her body, which is a “temple of the Holy Spirit.”

A Catholic opposed to abortion, Goede also objected to the COVID-19 vaccine because she believed it was manufactured using or tested on an aborted fetal-cell line. (A cell line from an abortion decades ago was used to create Johnson & Johnson’s coronavirus vaccine. Fetal cells were used in the early testing, though not in the production, of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.)

But Goede told the unemployment law judge she wouldn’t receive the vaccine no matter how it was made “because it doesn’t work.”

The judge said Goede was declining to take some vaccines, but not others, “because she does not trust them, not because of a religious belief.”

Goede’s attorneys said the judge had interrogated her religious beliefs with “unfair `gotcha’ questioning."

“He couched his denial of benefits in Ms. Goede’s credibility and then discounted her religious beliefs by determining that her secular beliefs outweighed them,” the lawyers told the Supreme Court.

At the same time the Minnesota Court of Appeals upheld that decision last year, it reached the opposite conclusion for two others who had been denied benefits after asserting religious objections.

Goede’s lawyers said her case presented a question that will reoccur: how to analyze a religious objection to an employer policy when those objections coincide with secular beliefs.

[cnacertificationprogram]

Open Your Future: Essential Guide to CNA Training in Minnesota

Unlock Your Future: essential Guide to CNA Training‌ in Minnesota

Are you interested in pursuing a rewarding​ career in healthcare? Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Minnesota could be the ideal pathway for you. In this extensive guide,‌ we ‍will explore everything ⁣you need to know about‍ CNA training in Minnesota—from program details to⁤ benefits and practical tips.

What is a ‌CNA?

A Certified⁣ Nursing Assistant⁣ (CNA) provides essential​ care to patients in a variety of healthcare settings.⁢ Their duties generally include assisting with daily living activities, monitoring vital signs, and ensuring patient comfort. Given the aging population, the​ demand for CNAs is constantly growing,⁢ making it an attractive career choice.

CNA Training Requirements ⁤in Minnesota

To become a CNA in Minnesota, individuals ‍must meet specific training and certification requirements:

Minimum age of 18 years old.

High ‍school diploma or equivalent ‍(GED).

Completion of a‌ state-approved CNA training program.

Pass the ​Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry test.

Training Programs⁢ available

In Minnesota,multiple institutions offer CNA training programs. These programs typically include a combination of classroom instruction ​and hands-on clinical⁤ training. Here are some popular options:

Institution

Location

Program Length

Northwestern Health ⁢Sciences University

bloomington

4 weeks

St. paul College

St. Paul

8⁣ weeks

College of St. Scholastica

Duluth

5 weeks

Benefits of CNA Training

CNA training ⁢not only ⁤sets the foundation for a accomplished healthcare career but also comes​ with numerous benefits, including:

Job Security: With⁤ the​ ever-increasing ⁢demand for healthcare workers, cnas enjoy stable ‍job prospects.

Flexible Schedule: Many ⁢facilities offer flexible shift options, making it easier⁣ to balance work and personal life.

Pathway to Advancement: Experience as a CNA can lead to further opportunities ‍in nursing and healthcare management.

Practical ​Tips for Success in CNA Training

To maximize your experience and succeed in your ⁢CNA training, consider the following ​tips:

Stay Organized: Keep your study materials and schedules organized to manage your time effectively.

Practice Hands-On Skills: Make the most ⁢of your clinical hours by actively participating and asking​ questions.

Connect with Your‌ Peers: ​ Building ‍a supportive ‍network can lead​ to ​valuable insights‌ and study partners.

first-Hand Experience: A CNA’s Journey

To provide a real-world perspective, let’s⁢ hear ⁣from Jessica, a recent graduate of⁢ a CNA program in Minnesota:

“My CNA training was‍ intense but⁢ incredibly rewarding. I loved the hands-on training; it prepared me for real-life situations in the nursing‌ home where‌ I now work. The support from my ⁤instructors made ⁢all the difference in my confidence and skills.”

– Jessica,CNA

Certification ⁤Process

After completing ⁤your⁣ CNA training,the next step is to obtain certification.This process includes:

Complete the CNA Training Program: Ensure you ‍finish all coursework and practical training.

Apply for the Nursing Assistant Registry test: Register for‌ the certification exam through the Minnesota​ Department of Health.

Pass the Exam: the exam typically⁢ consists of a written test and a skills presentation.

Career Outlook for CNAs in Minnesota

The job outlook for CNAs⁣ in⁢ Minnesota is promising. ‌According to the Minnesota Department‌ of​ Employment and Economic Development, the demand for⁣ CNAs is projected to grow substantially over the next decade due to the aging population and increasing healthcare needs.

Conclusion

Embarking on a career ‌as a Certified Nursing ‍Assistant in Minnesota is an excellent choice for individuals passionate ‌about healthcare. with a solid training foundation, numerous benefits, and solid career⁢ prospects, you can unlock your future in the ⁤rewarding world of⁢ nursing. Whether you’re ⁤just starting or considering a‌ career⁤ shift, pursuing CNA training ⁢can set ⁢you on a fulfilling path. Take the first step towards your future today!

https://cnacertificationprogram.net/open-your-future-essential-guide-to-cna-training-in-minnesota/

[decentralvaccine]

Supreme Court Rejects Denial Of Employment Benefits For Religious Reasons Due To Refusal To Be Vaccinated With The Covid 19 Vaccine

The Supreme Court on Monday rejected the appeal of a Minnesota woman who said she was wrongly denied unemployment benefits after being fired for refusing to be vaccinated for COVID-19 because of her religious beliefs.

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development determined she wasn’t eligible for benefits because her reasons for refusing the vaccine were based less on religion and more on a lack of trust that the vaccine was effective.

[judaisim]

The first group consisted of Jewish Germans.

The history of German Jews is a complicated one that is full of achievements and tragedies, resiliency and renewal. This article examines the first wave of Jews to settle in Germany, focusing on their arrival, integration, and lasting influence on German society. Come with us on an enthralling adventure through the ages as we unearth the fascinating history of this neighborhood.

Migration and Settling in the Early Days, The Immigration of Jews from Germany, In the latter half of the 17th century, the regions that are now Germany were visited by a large number of Jewish immigrants, most of whom came from Eastern Europe. These trailblazers traveled to the prosperous German states in search of safety from persecutors and new chances in their respective fields of endeavor. Typical Settling Patterns, Early Jewish communities in Germany were established in a number of cities and towns, including Frankfurt, Worms, and Berlin. Their communities flourished and played an important part in the development of the local culture as well as the economy.

Maurice Mordecai Samuel, a fur trader from the St. Croix Valley, is credited with being one of the first Jews to settle in Minnesota in the late 1840s. Other German and Central European Jews who had previously made their living as peddlers in other parts of the United States soon followed, drawn to the rising number of economic prospects in the Minnesota Territory. By the 1880s, German Jews who had previously worked as peddlers could be found working as merchants in market towns around the state.

In the 1850s, German Jews who had immigrated to America and collected fortune began settling in St. Paul's Lowertown neighborhood, where they opened companies and made their homes. They dealt in a variety of things, including furs, dry goods, and alcoholic beverages. The Mannheimer Brothers and the Golden Rule were two of their establishments that developed into significant department stores over time. Mount Zion Temple, the first Jewish institution to be established in Minnesota, was established in 1856 by eight families from the city of St. Paul.

Around the year 1865, Jews first started moving into Minneapolis. The ready-made apparel and dry goods that they sold in the shops that they established along Washington Avenue were sold to workers in the prosperous lumber business in the city. In the same manner as they had in St. Paul, Jews in Minneapolis lived and prayed in close proximity to their places of employment. In the year 1877, there were fewer than two hundred members of the modest Jewish community that existed in Minneapolis.

German Jews laid the groundwork for what would become the first Jewish institution in Minneapolis by establishing the Montefiore Burial Association in 1876. Shaarai Tov, which would ultimately be renamed Temple Israel, was finally established as a synagogue by the same group of people after an additional year had passed.

[mystlnewsonline]

Minnesota Governor - $13M for Business Expansion Statewide

Minnesota Governor Walz Announces $13 Million for Business Expansion Statewide. Funding from DEED's Job Creation Fund and the Minnesota Investment Fund will help create over 650 jobs. ST. PAUL, MN (STL.News) Business Expansion - Minnesota Governor Tim Walz recently announced that the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) will provide over $13 million to help 15 businesses across Minnesota expand.  The funding from DEED's Job Creation Fund and Minnesota Investment Fund will leverage nearly $766 million in outside investment and create 652 jobs over five years. "Minnesota is proud to be a top state for business and to live and work," said Governor Walz.  "I am grateful to the workers, entrepreneurs, and businesses that call Minnesota home and contribute to our economy.  We are committed to supporting our businesses and investing in the future of Minnesota's workforce, whether through business expansion, grants for entrepreneurs, or child care." "The Job Creation Fund and Minnesota Investment Fund are important programs that not only help create jobs but stimulate economic investment around our state," said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek. "These programs are just two examples of DEED's continued dedication to business expansion statewide." This comes as Governor Walz recently announced that Minnesota is a top-five state to live and work in.  Minnesota was also named a top-five state for business earlier this month. The Job Creation Fund provides financial incentives to new and expanding businesses that meet certain job creation and capital investment targets.  Eligible companies may receive up to $2 million for creating or retaining high-paying jobs, constructing or renovating facilities, or making other property improvements. The Minnesota Investment Fund provides financing to help add new workers and retain high-quality jobs, focusingon industrial, manufacturing, and technology-related industries to increase the local and state tax base and improve Minnesota's economic vitality.  Funds are awarded to local units of government that provide loans to assist expanding businesses. Details on individual projects are below: CFMOTO Powersport, Plymouth – MIF $340,000 CFMOTO Powersports, Inc., is an exclusive distributor of CFMOTO brand motorcycles, ATVs, and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) in the United States.  Their proposed building construction project includes a new 90,000 square feet dual-purpose office and warehouse facility.  The building will serve as CFMOTO's U.S. corporate headquarters and incorporate new research and development machinery and the latest in warehouse technology.  With a projected total project cost of $25.8 million, the CFMOTO project is expected to create 44 new jobs with an average wage of $37.24 per hour. Daikin Applied Americas, Inc., Owatonna – JCF $175,000 Daikin Applied Americas, Inc. manufactures commercial heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) equipment.  The proposed project will upgrade the interior office areas and make additional improvements to the existing factory in Owatonna, with an expected total project cost of $1.96 million.  The project is expected to create 20 jobs within the first year at an average wage of $28.49 per hour. Elemet Group Inc., Princeton – JCF $800,000, MIF $1,000,000 Elemet Group Inc. specializes in robotic welding, heavy metal spinning, powder coating & finishing, heavy machining, fabrication, and laser cutting.  The proposed project will build a new facility in Princeton to support their growing business and manufacturing needs, with an expected total project cost of $26.4 million.  The project is expected to create 45 jobs within the first three years at an average wage of $29.59 per hour. F2F Inc., Faribault – JCF $175,000 F2F Inc. is a new start-up that develops designs that will integrate mushroom cultivation into a single synergistic loop that comprises climate, automation, and efficiency improvements, with the goal oto raiseds and altering the waalteroms are cultivated.  The proposed project will expand the current facility in Faribault and supply machinery and equipment.  The total project cost is $7.2 million, and is expected to create 40 jobs within the first three years at an average wage of $25.40 per hour. Falls Fabricating LLC, Little Falls – JCF $175,000, MIF $190,000 Falls Fabricating LLC is a full-service precision fabricator of complex components with expertise in cabinets, chassis, tanks, reservoirs, frames, and brackets.  The proposed project will expand its current Little Falls facility by adding an additional 40,000 square feet and updating the current equipment being used.  The project is expected to cost $15 million and create 32 jobs with an average wage of $22.34 per hour. ForwardEdge ASIC LLC, St. Paul – JCF $500,000, MIF $800,000 ForwardEdge ASIC LLC is a microelectronics design business that makes application-specific integrated circuits.  The proposed project has leased 68,308 square feet of lab and office space in Saint Paul and will procure machinery and equipment, with a total project cost of $36 million.  The project is expected to create 113 jobs within three years at an average wage of $84.51 per hour. GEOTEK LLC, Stewartville – JCF $800,000, MIF $230,000 GEOTEK LLC develops and manufactures a variety of engineered composite products utilizing pultrusion and filament winding, including fiberglass cross-arms, light poles, and utility poles.  The proposed project will construct a new 105,000-square-foot facility that includes an office, lab, and manufacturing space with a total expected project cost of $13.5 million.  The project is expected to create 35 jobs within the first three years at an average wage of $21.02 per hour. Graco Minnesota Inc., Anoka – JCF $737,000, MIF $250,000 Graco Inc. supplies technology and expertise for the management of fluids and coatings in both industrial and commercial applications.  Its subsidiary Graco Minnesota Inc. designs manufactures, and markets systems and equipment to move, measure, control, dispense, and spray fluid and power materials.  The proposed project will expand the current facility in Anoka by adding an additional 170,000 square feet, with an expected total project cost of $42.7 million.  The project is expected to create 43 jobs within the first three years, with an average wage of $27.20 per hour. Massman Companies Inc., Alexandria – MIF $150,000 Massman Companies design and manufacture automated packaging machines.  Their services include designing, manufacturing, and installing systems for case packing, cartoning, robotics, palletizing, liquid filling, shrink packaging, and engineering integrated production line systems.  The proposed project will purchase 80 acres in Alexandria that includes a new 73,000-square-foot facility to be used for machine design, assembly, machine testing, engineering, and customer demonstrations.  The project is expected to cost $18 million and create 21 new jobs. Natural American Foods, Lakeville – JCF $155,000 Natural American Foods LLC – doing business as Sweet Harvest Foods – is a natural sweetener processing company.  The proposed project will lease a new 360,000 square feet facility consisting of office, product storage, and processing space, with an expected total project cost of $6.5 million.  The project is expected to create 20 jobs within the first two years at an average wage of $24.20 per hour. Niagara Bottling Company, Elko New Market – MIF $405,000 Niagara Bottling, LLC is a beverage manufacturer that produces bottled water, teas, sparkling waters, and additional products.  The proposed project will purchase land and construct a new 425,000 square feet beverage manufacturing facility in Elko New Market.  With an estimated total project cost of $129.4 million, the project is expected to create 58 jobs within the first three years at an estimated average hourly wage of $37.14. Polar Semiconductor LLC, Bloomington – JCF $800,000, MIF $4,000,000 Polar Semiconductor, LLC is a semiconductor manufacturer that develops and produces wafer products— advanced power semiconductor devices and sensors — at its Bloomington fabrication facility, which the proposed project would expand and modernize.  The project is expected to cost $372 million and create 73 jobs within the first two years at an average wage of $46.23 per hour. Renegade Truck Equipment, Richmond – MIF $400,000 Renegade Truck Equipment, Inc. specializes in the manufacturing of truck bodies, including gravel, contractor, flatbed, and utility/service, along with the sale of truck equipment, truck and trailer accessories, and snow equipment.  The proposed project will add an additional 20,000 square feet to the existing facility in Richmond, increasing manufacturing space and upgrading the facility.  The project is expected to cost $3.3 million and create 15 new jobs with an average wage of $36.92 per hour. Spectro Alloys Corporation, Rosemount – JCF $750,000, MIF $400,000 Spectro Alloys uses technology to turn what's used (material at the end of its lifecycle) into what's new (i.e., EVs and solar panels) by recycling aluminum.  The proposed project will expand the current facility in Rosemount by 90,000 square feet and will include new equipment to recycle used beverage containers, extrusions, and a variety of other regionally generated end-of-lifecycle scrap types into high-quality recycled raw materials for regional extruders and sheet rolling mills.  The project is expected to cost $76.8 million and create 70 jobs within the first three years at an average wage of $30.86 per hour. Sunrise Fiberglass LLC, Wyoming – JCF $175,000 Sunrise Fiberglass LLC, a National Composites company, builds parts for cranes, skid-steers, paving equipment, mining equipment, trains, underground infrastructure, and more.  With multiple molding capabilities and an advanced paint, bonding, and assembly department, Sunrise specializes in producing complex parts and large sub-assemblies for multiple industries.  The proposed project will add an additional 20,000 square feet of production space to the existing Wyoming facility, with an expected total project cost of $3.6 million.  The project is expected to create 23 jobs within the first two years, with an average wage of $21.96 per hour. SOURCE: Minnesota Governor Read the full article

[creepingsharia]

Minnesota: Muslim immigrants are running for office, winning and reshaping the state’s politics

As Minneapolis burns, it’s clear how electing foreign Muslims - and white, far-left liberals - is working out. **More links at end of post

Also note the subtle racism now pervasive in the media, and by the Muslim author, where they capitalize the word black but not white. The article simultaneously highlights black, mostly Muslim, immigrants rise in politics while leaving unsaid that non-immigrant black Americans are being leap frogged by immigrants. Supposedly a good thing.

Young, educated and Black: Here’s how Minnesota’s politicians with African roots are reshaping the state’s politics.

 by Ibrahim Hirsi

Barely four years ago, the highest-ranking elected official in the community was Abdi Warsame, a Somali immigrant who was sworn into the Minneapolis City Council in January 2014. 

Now, the state can count at least 13 Black immigrant elected officials, including U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar; state Representatives Mohamud Noor and Hodan Hassan; and Mayor Mike Elliott of Brooklyn Center. 

In the DFL August primary, a few more Black immigrants emerged victorious. Among them are 30-year-old Omar Fateh, who will likely win a seat in the State Senate; and 35-year-old Esther Agbaje who secured another likely spot in the State House. 

The surge in the number of Black immigrants seeking elected positions is conspicuous not only in the Twin Cities metro area. It’s also taking place outside the metro area, in cities like Mankato, St. Cloud and Austin. 

...

Near the beginning of his presidency, Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Immigration Nationality Act of 1965, which opened the doors to non-European immigrants. But he could not have foreseen the full magnitude of the impact the law would have on places like the Twin Cities and beyond. 

Moments before Johnson signed the landmark immigration reform bill into law on Oct. 3, 1965, at the foot of the Statue of Liberty in New York, he downplayed the effects the legislation would have on the United States. “This bill that we will sign today is not a revolutionary bill,” he reminded Americans during the signing ceremony. “It does not affect the lives of millions. It will not reshape the structure of our daily lives.”

The president was wrong.

The legislation, also known as the Hart-Cellar Act, has affected millions of lives. It’s changed the demographics of metropolitan areas across the nation. It’s driven population growth as birth rates slow for Americans. It’s provided a steady stream of labor for emptying American farms and factories. 

And now, in Minnesota, it’s drawing more Black immigrants to seek political seats in federal, state and local governments. Since 2016, according to an unofficial headcount by Sahan Journal, at least 50 African immigrants have run for public offices in Minnesota.

...

With at least 10 elected officials now serving various public offices, Somalis make up the greatest number of Black immigrants becoming elected officials in Minnesota. Most of them represent neighborhoods that have large concentrations of foreign-born residents. 

In south Minneapolis, for instance, Somalis have elected representatives to a wide range of political offices. The most famous official is, of course, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, whose win in the August DFL primary race for the 5th District likely secured her another term in Washington.

...

The list of elected Somali officials gets longer each cycle: Mohamud Noor and Hodan Hassan serve in the State House; Jamal Osman recently won a special election for a seat to in the city council; Siad Ali joined the city’s school board in 2014; and AK Hassan is a commissioner on the Park Board.

But the Somali community has also gained a foothold more broadly. Warsame, who resigned his post as a Minneapolis councilman early this year, became CEO of Minneapolis Public Housing Authority. In 2019, Hamse Warfa joined the governor’s administration, becoming deputy commissioner at the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, (DEED). And in June, Anisa Hajimumin became assistant commissioner at DEED.

...

Most of the estimated 20,000 Liberian Americans live in the northwestern suburbs of the Twin Cities, including Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center. Earlier this year, Yakasah Wehyee, the Ph.D. candidate at the University of Minnesota, took office as a city council member in Falcon Heights.

Political observers may expect Somalis and Liberians to win some races in cities with large immigrant populations. But African immigrants have started to run for office farther afield, in places like St, Cloud, Mankato, and Austin.

In Austin, Oballa Oballa, 27, is busy these days putting up campaign signs and knocking on doors for his bid to join the city council.

...

The Hart-Cellar Act allowed millions of non-European immigrants to establish permanent homes in the U.S. While Black immigrants make up only 2.5 percent of the state’s population overall in the state, the majority of these residents are concentrated in the Twin Cities metro area.

That concentration has given them not just the political will—and a voting bloc—to pursue state and local elected seats. It’s also allowed them to establish successful businesses, vibrant social hubs, schools and religious centers: institutions that have given Black immigrants a true sense of belonging.   

These candidates don’t just represent African immigrants in the mainstream of Minnesota civic life. Rather, people from Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia and more have become the mainstream itself.

-----------------------

Another candidate, who wants your guns, via:

Shakopee resident Sahra Odowa running against Eric Pratt

Shakopee resident Sahra Odowa will run for the District 55 seat against GOP incumbent Sen. Eric Pratt in the upcoming election.

And eventually sharia law, as we have seen recently with Islamic call to sharia blasted across neighborhoods 5x a day and night.

Must read: The Scary Answer to Trump’s Question on Ilhan Omar

[mariacallous]

Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 3:30 PM on 4/29/2020.

Updates from the Governor

Today, Governor Walz announced his Administration finalized a lease agreement for an alternate care site in Roseville to increase hospital capacity and ensure all patients who need care will be able to get it. The Governor will continue to plan ahead to ensure Minnesota is prepared to weather this pandemic and any challenges it brings.

“Minnesotans deserve as much peace of mind as we can give them during this pandemic, and signing this lease is another way we’ve made good use of the time Minnesotans have bought us by staying home and slowing the spread of COVID-19,” said Governor Walz. “By setting up this alternate care site in Roseville, our team is making sure that—should it ever be needed—our hospitals have the capacity they need to treat all patients who need care.”

Also today, Governor Walz joined U.S. Congressman Collin Peterson for an event in Worthington to highlight the grave challenges and heartbreaking decisions facing workers and hog farmers in Minnesota. Governor Walz recognizes the significant impact COVID-19 has had on Minnesotans working on our frontlines to keep our food supply chains running. The Walz-Flanagan Administration is focused on protecting the health and safety of these critical workers.

This morning, the Department of Employment and Economic Development announced a new digital health screening tool developed in partnership with Target and the Minnesota Safety Council to support employers and help keep Minnesota's work environments safe.

Finally, we just got the final count on the statewide mask drive and Minnesotans donated more than 137,430 masks. Altura, MN donated nearly as many masks as it has residents. We couldn’t have done this without the collaboration of our fire stations across every corner of our state.

[maryturck]

Immigration News: April 25, 2023

Two stories from Minnesota show two different sides of migrant worker questions. Minnesota has a worker shortage, and increasing immigration could help. That’s the conclusion of a new study by the state’s Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). With an unemployment rate of 2.8 percent, Minnesota has twice as many open jobs as unemployed workers. On the other side, the HyLife…

[minnesotafollower]

Two Other Minnesota Cities Celebrate Diversity

Previous posts have discussed the positive impacts of immigrants on the southwestern Minnesota city of Worthington (Micropolitan Pop. 20,500 (2018)).  Now two other Minnesota outstate cities (southeastern Austin and northwestern Roseau) have joined the chorus.

Austin, Minnesota[1]

The city of Austin, population 25,190 (2018 est.) is the county seat of southeastern Mower County bordering Iowa to…

[reveal-the-news]

New DEED automation funding program to bring more robots to Minnesota economy - Brainerd Dispatch

New DEED automation funding program to bring more robots to Minnesota economy – Brainerd Dispatch

ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development announced a new program to support automation for manufacturers, the latest component of a $97 million state Small Business Credit Initiative. As part of the Automation Loan Participation Program, DEED will provide cooperative loans to fill financing gaps and expand financing opportunities for businesses purchasing…

[mnperspectives]

Minnesota Business News Roundup for June 2022

Minnesota Business News Roundup for June 2022

JUNE The following is a roundup of business and economic news from around Minnesota usually not found in Twin Cities media. It was first distributed to the clients and associates of Platinum Group. Three Minnesota Businesses to Receive $2.1 Million from the State Through its Minnesota Investment Fund and Job Creation Fund, Minnesota’s Department of Employment and Economic Development plans to…

[dipulb3]

Opinion: I left Google for a government job. Why more people should do the same

New Post has been published on https://appradab.com/opinion-i-left-google-for-a-government-job-why-more-people-should-do-the-same/

Opinion: I left Google for a government job. Why more people should do the same

For federal, state and local governments to make real progress and rebuild trust, the country needs more private citizens to consider joining their ranks. In the same way that military enrollment increased after 9/11 to combat global terrorism, we need more people to enter government service to help tackle the unprecedented challenges we face today.

Not only do fresh eyes from the private sector bring new approaches to government, but there’s a lot that can be learned from working in the government, too.

I know this because in 2019, I left a 12-year career at Google to join the government of my home state of Minnesota. I’d often wondered about trying public service, but it wasn’t until a teacher-turned-politician I’d long admired named Tim Walz was elected Governor that the right opportunity presented itself.

I had volunteered on the Governor’s first congressional campaign several years earlier. Newly minted as the state’s chief executive, he asked me to join his cabinet as the commissioner of the Department of Employment and Economic Development. The job was to lead a large agency designed to grow the state’s economy. It seemed like an opportunity too important to pass up.

My appointment was treated with some curiosity — people don’t often leave tech companies to join government. And I hadn’t lived in Minnesota for the last 20 years, having spent most of that time in Silicon Valley. The expectation that I’d bring a new approach to the department gave me some latitude to do just that.

In my first year, we made some big changes. We remade the department’s core mission statement, established a review process to track progress against our goals and launched an Innovation Lab for staff to test new ideas without fear of failure. We also built a new program to boost the state’s start up ecosystem called Launch Minnesota in an economy that was growing by the day.

And then, the pandemic hit.

Everything changed overnight. While I was hired to help grow our state’s economy, we were suddenly working to keep Minnesotans safe by shutting several parts of it down. Within a few months, our unemployment rate tripled and we lost almost 400,000 jobs. Deepening the crisis was the civil unrest following George Floyd’s killing, which led to the destruction of over 500 small businesses in the heart of the Twin Cities.

Hundreds of thousands of Minnesota’s workers and small businesses were in desperate need of support from the state in order to survive, and for many, our agency has been their lifeline. Our unemployment insurance team immediately secured more server space to ensure our website didn’t crash against a surge in traffic. We made rapid changes to our platform to accompany new jobless claims, and our team used their decades of experience and deep understanding of unemployment systems to quickly stand up several new programs from the CARES act.

Other teams at our agency combed through agency budgets to find extra dollars for small businesses, and, in a matter of days, we worked with legislators to stand up new loan programs that brought millions of dollars to Minnesota’s hardest-hit firms. Later, we launched a grant program for small businesses that had been devastated by the pandemic, and we had to figure out how to distribute the money fairly when everyone was hurting. We settled on a solution we’d never tried before: partnering with our state’s lottery department to develop a fair system to distribute money across the state.

The need for innovation in government is real, but I also learned that in a crisis, there’s nothing like a stable, experienced bureaucracy that people can rely on. The public servants in our agency know how to navigate government, which helps things move fast in a crisis.

And they have a deep sense of purpose for helping other people. At Google we had a mantra: “Focus on the user.” I didn’t need to teach that to my new colleagues — they knew it already.

There are certainly many things we have not gotten perfect. Building a pandemic playbook on the fly is something that has challenged every state. But I’ve found working in government during a crisis to be the most rewarding work of my career. The public servants I get to work with are smart, hard working and selfless. They are worthy of the public’s trust.

Seeing them perform in a crisis has given me faith that our institutions can respond when we need them most — and adapt when the times call for it.

We have a long road ahead to recover from this pandemic. The coming year will have its ups and downs as the vaccine rollout and economic stimulus take center stage.

As America begins a new chapter in that journey, I hope more people consider heeding the call to step into public service. Our country needs new energy and new ideas in government. And working with people who’ve devoted their entire lives to serving the public will restore your own faith in our institutions, too.

[mariacallous]

July 18, 2020

Updates from the Governor

This week, Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan continued to work toward an agreement with the House and Senate on police accountability and reform and passing a strong Local Jobs and Projects bill focused on public safety, water infrastructure, housing and higher education that meets the needs of Minnesotans across the state.

Today, the Governor directed Minnesota flags to fly at half staff to honor Civil Rights leader and Congressman John Lewis. Below is a recap of the Walz-Flanagan administration's actions this week.

Week in Review

On Monday, July 13 following the advice of public health experts, Governor Walz extended the COVID-19 peacetime emergency that gives the state flexibility in responding to critical issues stemming from COVID-19, including increasing testing, acquiring PPE, and providing economic relief to Minnesota families.

On Tuesday, July 14 at West Broadway Crescent Apartments, the Governor and Lt. Governor announced a $100 million housing assistance program to help prevent evictions, prevent homelessness, and maintain housing stability for individuals and families impacted by COVID-19.

On Wednesday, July 15 the Minnesota Department of Human Services announced a new health care option that will cover testing for individuals who do not have insurance. Information can be found on their website here. Applications also opened for funding for child care providers that was announced by Governor Walz last week.

On Thursday, July 16 Governor Walz visited a flood improvement project along Highway 93 in Henderson, Minnesota to highlight the urgent need to pass his Local Jobs and Projects Plan. The Department of Employment and Economic Development reminded Minnesotans that the last week the additional $600 in weekly federal unemployment insurance will be paid is the week ending on July 25. Minnesotans can find additional state and community resources at mn.gov/covid19/gethelp.

On Friday, July 17 the Governor directed all flags at state and federal buildings in Minnesota to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Sunday, July 19 to remember, mourn, and honor lives lost due to COVID-19.

Everyone can work to reduce the spread of COVID-19

Wear masks when in public. 10-50% of virus carriers are asymptomatic wearing masks helps control the virus and has been shown to lower COVID-19 spread.

Avoid enclosed spaces with groups of people, where the virus can linger in the air for long periods of time.

Get tested if you have cold or flu-like symptoms - Find testing locations.

Stay six feet away from others.

Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or sleeve, or a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands afterwards.

Washing your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom or before eating. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Avoid touching your face – especially your eyes, nose and mouth – with unwashed hands.

Up-to-date guidance is available from the Department of Health.

Resources

Visit mn.gov/covid19 to learn more about Minnesota’s COVID-19 Response and Preparation

Find a testing location in your community

CDC Situation Updates

Apply for Unemployment Insurance

Minnesota Department of Health Updates

About COVID-19

[minnesotafollower]

Minnesota Facing Slowdown in Labor Force Growth

Minnesota Facing Slowdown in Labor Force Growth

The State of Minnesota currently is experiencing many positive economic circumstances. First, “most people who want a job have one, with the state’s unemployment rate floating around 3.4 percent. Meanwhile, nearly seven in 10 working-age Minnesotans either have or are looking for jobs, ensuring employers have a robust talent pool from which to hire.” [1]Second, smaller towns and cities in the…

[reveal-the-news]

Local Outdoor Recreation Industries Have Positive Impact On Duluth's Economy

Local Outdoor Recreation Industries Have Positive Impact On Duluth’s Economy

DULUTH, Minn. — On Monday, some Minnesota department leaders visited Duluth to learn about how outdoor recreation helps the city’s economy. Leaders from the Minnesota DNR, Department of Employment and Economic Development and Explore Minnesota have talked about collaborating with places like Duluth to promote outdoor tourism. A survey of economic data shows that across Minnesota, the…