Shop Local This Season and Beyond

We’re fast approaching the holiday shopping season and whether you start shopping before Halloween, or wait until the last minute, there is a big emphasis on supporting local businesses this year.

Whether you realize it or not, YOU are playing a role in our community and YOU are individually stimulating the local economy with your support and in turn, helping support Greater Mankato’s unique character and personality. When you support local, money is kept in the community because locally-owned businesses often purchase from other local businesses, service providers, and farms. Purchasing local helps grow other businesses as well as our region’s tax base. In fact, for every dollar spent at a small business in the U.S., approximately 67 cents stays in the local community. So when you support local all year long — you can help create a BIG IMPACT.

#GoodJobsNow – DEED Launches Campaign to Connect the Unemployed With Quality Jobs

Want a free way to leverage promotion of your employment opportunities to the whole state? The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has just launched the #GoodJobsNow campaign, an initiative designed to let job seekers know that companies across multiple industries are still hiring for quality jobs that pay a living wage. In the announcement of the campaign, DEED Commissioner Steve Grove said, “Right now, as many Minnesotans face uncertainty, DEED is working to provide job seekers with job opportunities and career training resources through virtual CareerForce services, our regularly updated 30 Jobs in Demand list, the Dislocated Worker Program and now the #GoodJobsNow visualization.” Target industries for this campaign in the Greater Mankato Area include manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, transportation, construction, and IT.

Read More

Strong Electrical Efficiency Rebates Remain for Xcel Energy Customers

This is a guest blog post by Greater Mankato Growth member business, Laketown Electric Corporation, to accompany their Business Focus video:

There is little doubt that the advancement of LED has drastically changed the landscape of the electrical contracting market for the better. Five years ago, a two-lamp fluorescent fixture would consume roughly 59 watts would deliver approximately 4,000 lumens and would last approximately 20,000 hours. They were not controllable except for on/off or occupancy sensing both with a special ballast. Once the tubes failed, they needed to be recycled in a special manner. 

COVID-19 Community Resource Grant Guidelines

Blue Earth County recognizes the important role certain community support organizations play in providing needed services for Blue Earth County residents, particularly in times of economic distress.  Community support organizations that help provide housing services, food, childcare programs, employment opportunities, and access to social and health services mitigate the demand on County social service and public health programs.

The County further recognizes that community support organizations have been impacted by the current economic environment caused by the COVID-19 public health crisis in much the same way as business have been impacted.  The County has, therefore, established a program to provide support for community organizations to assist those organizations in meeting the needs of Blue Earth County residents affected by the COVID-19 public health crisis.

The Blue Earth County Community Resource Grant Program will be administered through the County Administrator’s office.  Organization representatives who have questions or need assistance in completing applications should contact:

Blue Earth County Administration
Attn: Josh Milow, Deputy County Administrator
204 South Fifth Street,
PO BOX 8608 Mankato, MN 56002-8608
josh.milow@blueearthcountymn.gov 507-304-4109

Organizations are also encouraged to apply for all other available COVID-19 related funding programs offered by the U.S. federal government, the State of Minnesota and other granting/loaning agencies.  Organizations applying for and receiving funds through these programs are still eligible to receive a grant from the County. Prioritization will be given to organizations that have not received funding from other sources.

*Prior to applying, please read through the list of Eligible Organizations and Ineligible organizations.  Also, at the bottom of the page, the application process it outlined.  Applications will be accepted between October 14 and October 31, 2020.
COMMUNITY RESOURCE GRANT APPLICATION

Read more here about Eligible Organizations, Amounts and Uses of Grants and Application Process.

Untapped Talent: Refugees, Asylees and Immigrants

In May 2020, we published the first of a two part series in Connect Business Magazine. Our initial article spoke to why businesses should incorporate refugees, asylees and immigrants into their workforce. In the upcoming issue of Connect Business Magazine, part two will be published, which outlines some key community resources that can help businesses with this effort. As our initial article was published while businesses across our region were closed, we have received permission to republish a portion of the article below, for those who may have missed it:

Read More

Additional Nicollet County Grant Funds Available to Help Small Businesses and Non-Profits

A second round of grant funding is being offered to small businesses and non-profits in Nicollet County that have been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.  The first round of funding was offered in September.

Grant awards will be provided to businesses and non-profits that experienced interruption, closure or significant revenue loss as a result of the public health emergency.  Grant awards will be up to $10,000 based on eligibility.  Businesses and non-profits with up to 50 full-time equivalent employees can apply.  The first grant round was limited to businesses and non-profits with up to 20 full-time equivalent employees.

Read More