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Making Wadena County the Best Place to do BusinessWith decades of experience under our belts, we at the West Central Economic Development Alliance (WCEDA) know that many of you may have never heard of an Economic Development Alliance. Below is a helpful explanation of what we do for our communities...
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Office of Small Business and Innovation is working with partners across the state to host a series of events to highlight the many organizations and resources available to help entrepreneurs and small businesses start and succeed.The events are opportunities for entrepreneurs...
DEED’s child care funding delivers for working families, employers and communities across Minnesota
Feb 12 2024DEED just announced record funding to expand working families' access to affordable, quality child care in communities across the state: two rounds of Child Care Economic Development grants totaling nearly $12.5 million will be issued this year. But did you know that since 2017, DEED has issued more than $6.5...
Childcare Shortages in the United States: A Growing Crisis with Far-Reaching Consequences
Feb 5 2024Childcare shortages in communities across the United States have reached critical levels, leaving families struggling to secure affordable and quality care for their children as they attempt to earn a living and contribute to economic development. This article delves into the depth of the issue, examining the shortage of childcare...
Celebrating a Successful YearThe West Central Economic Development Alliance (WCEDA) had an eventful 2023 with several key moments to note. 2023 was a year to remember, starting with the introduction of new leadership and ending with an important conversation with legislators.Focused on Continuous Progress for Wadena CountyLast year was full...
Jump Start Your Job Search
Jan 3 2024Did the holidays hamper your hunt for new employment? Then jump start your job search now with CareerForce!CareerForce can help you find good employment fast at NO COST to you!CareerForce can help people with resume updates, job interview preparation, networking strategy and so much more. We can help you target...
It’s National Write a Business Plan Month and companies are busy strategizing for next year. Write a Business Plan Month is a time for new and seasoned entrepreneurs alike to plan ahead. The WCEDA team wants to see West Central Minnesota entrepreneurs thrive and recommends writing a 2024 Business Plan.The...
The site selection process often includes 18+ months of a national search with dozens of employer interviews and meetings with economic developers, workforce development groups, and higher education institutions. While sophisticated site selection consultants perform due diligence to ensure their client’s immediate workforce needs are met, the process often emphasizes...
Building new and expanding existing facilities are complex undertakings. Companies face myriad decisions in first selecting a site and then in the long-term challenges of managing ongoing operations. A labor market analysis is a critical step in the site selection process, as the company needs to understand the local demographics...
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched an online application for Direct Loan customers. More than 26,000 customers who submit a Direct Loan application each year can now use an online, interactive, guided application that is paperless and provides helpful features including an electronic signature option, the ability to...
This Small Business Saturday and National Entrepreneurship Month, the team at West Central Economic Development Alliance would like to give a shout out to all of the small businesses and entrepreneurs in West Central Minnesota! We are immensely grateful for the good cheer that they bring to our communities as...
St. Paul – Minnesota gained 7,000 jobs from September to October, outpacing national job growth, according to numbers released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Minnesota reached its highest number of jobs on record at 3,001,300 in October, the first month when the seasonally adjusted...
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small announced an investment of $27.9 million across 45 organizations that teach and train beginning farmers and ranchers, including programs for U.S. veterans who are entering into agricultural careers and starting new farming businesses.“The next generation...
DEED awards more than $1.4 million in grants to colleges for employer workforce development projects
Nov 14 2023St. Paul – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced 11 workforce development grants totaling over $1.4 million to six Minnesota educational institutions that partnered with Minnesota businesses to develop and deliver workforce training programs addressing those employers' specific needs."Workforce training programs help employers with their labor...
Companies have a long list of factors to consider before building a new facility or expanding operations. How much available land is there? Are there utilities nearby to power the site? What’s the closest interstate and port to move our goods? But as unemployment rates have steadily dropped in the...
An opportunity to learn and discuss the topics facing Minnesota’s startup community. We know many of you have questions, ideas and concerns regarding your business or organization. Launch Minnesota is bringing together individuals from the public and private sector to answer questions and provide support to our startup community.We will...
Modern manufacturing in 2023 involves the latest technologies to create unique products, requiring innovative thinkers skilled at problem-solving and is considerably different from the perception of monotonous jobs in dirty, dark and dangerous environments. Wadena County is home to manufacturing companies producing goods using the latest technologies and raw materials...
Lawmakers dedicated an historic appropriation of over $1 billion (mostly one-time funding) to help address the lack of affordable housing, a barrier for attraction of workforce in communities all across the state. This includes a $39 million appropriation to help build workforce housing in Greater Minnesota, $20 million for the...
October is Manufacturing Month in Minnesota, in recognition of the critical importance of manufacturing to the state's economy and to highlight the many career opportunities in this vital industry. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) partners with the Minnesota State Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence, manufacturers across...
WOMEN IN BUSINESS PANEL SHARES BEST PRACTICES FOR ENGAGING AND DEVELOPING WOMEN IN THE WORKPLACE
Sep 28 2023Recently, the Chamber held its latest event in the Women in Business Series, this time at Post Consumer brands. Speakers included 2023-2024 Chamber Board Chair, Jill Bollettieri of Post Consumer Brands, as well as a panel of female business leaders who took a broad and intersectional approach to their discussion...
Demand for manufacturing workers has been extremely high for several years in Minnesota. Local opportunities for career and technical education or general workforce development in Wadena County exist, offering nearly 100% placement, excellent wages and exciting careers in local companies. “There is a growing concern in the manufacturing industry of the...
Minnesota gained 4,400 jobs from July to August and the labor force grew for a sixth straight month, according to data released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).Minnesota and U.S. employment both grew 0.1% over the month, with Minnesota's private sector job growth – up...
The Minnesota Chamber is pleased to offer valuable information to our members and community business leaders. We have received many, many questions from our members about what happened during this legislative session, and we’re here to help you make sense of how it’s going to impact your business. The purpose...
This year, the Legislature passed the most sweeping paid leave mandates on business in state history. Despite more than 80% of Minnesota members offering leave to their employees, the state now mandates all employers to grant employees sick, safe and paid time off equaling nearly 40% of a work year.Read...