Warm Your Heart With This Story – Foxy the Road Dog from Montana
This is a guest blog submission from Wendy June of member business, Mankato Pet Cremation. We love to hear about WHY our members love what they do in our community.
Who could have guessed that starting a second career in pet cremation would bring about so many stories and unexpected blessings?
In March of 2018, with much support from family, friends, and the Small Business Development Center in Mankato, we opened Mankato Pet Cremation serving Mankato and south central Minnesota. Initially, I went into this work with the goal of providing a crucial service for area pets. But I soon realized after death it’s no longer about the pet anymore, it’s about the people. To my amazement, it turns out people experiencing pet-loss are at their most genuine, honest, and tender selves. The good in people naturally spills out at this difficult time. Every customer renews my faith and gives me hope for the human race, especially during this difficult time. I am thankful everyday for this very rare and wonderful view of this complicated world.
Read MoreManaging COVID-19 cases and exposures in your business
This is a guest blog by Greater Mankato Growth member, Mankato Clinic.
As the Greater Mankato region experiences an increase in COVID-19 cases, business owners and managers have many questions and concerns on how to stay open and keep customers, staff and our community safe.
Read More10 Disciplines for Leaders in Good & Bad Times
This is a guest blog post by Joe Paulsen from Greater Mankato Growth member business, Pinnacle Business Traction.
At the virtual Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) conference in May, my biggest take away came from the creator of EOS, Gino Wickman. He gave a keynote address titled: “Managing Human Energy Coming Out of a Crisis.” Gino provided 10 Disciplines for Leaders who want to perform at the top of his/her game in good times or challenging times. Following are the 10 Disciplines with a brief explanation:
Read MoreA Guide to Prepare for Reopening and Repositioning Your Organization
This is a guest blog post by Greater Mankato Growth member business, Eide Bailly LLP.
As economies reopen across the country, many organizations have turned a critical eye to how they should reopen in the wake of the next normal. In a time of great operational uncertainty, how organizations can reopen and reposition themselves in the marketplace effectively will be critical to their long-term success.
Read MoreJones Metal – Ahead of the Pack
This is a guest blog post by Greater Mankato Growth member business, Jones Metal, to accompany their Business Focus video:
At Jones Metal, we have great pride in our history, our team, our position in the community, our design capabilities, our quality, our advanced technology as well as our relationships and customer portfolio. The Jones team is driven to stay at the forefront of new technology and customer needs; we like to be 2 years ahead of our competition.
Read MoreN95 Fit Test Reminder
Due to this pandemic, N95 masks have become a piece of required PPE in industries where they have not been needed before. We wanted to remind companies that N95 masks are considered respirators and as a result, fall within OSHA’s respirator guidelines. It is important that companies train their employees on how to properly use N95 masks, ensure that the employees are medically able to wear a respirator, and perform a fit test. While OSHA has temporarily issued guidance lifting annual fit test requirements, initial fit tests are still required. We asked Brad Kramer of Provenio Consulting to provide some additional information about what those fit tests entail as well as additional details about respirator policy requirements. Brad shared the following regarding respirators:
Read MoreFive Things You Need to Know About the Paycheck Protection Program
This is a guest blog post by Greater Mankato Growth member, Eide Bailly LLP.
Several relief programs are in play in an effort to combat the impact of COVID-19 on businesses and organizations. One of the key programs is the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
Here are five things you should know about the PPP loans.
Read MoreWebinar: The CARES Act: What does it mean for Small Businesses?
The Small Business Development Center at Minnesota State University, Mankato is hosting a live webinar about opportunities for small businesses in the CARES Act. Register to attend here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-cares-act-what-does-it-mean-for-small-businesses-tickets-102186472490
Who is Minnesota Valley Action Council and just what is it that they do?
This is a guest blog post by Ann Macgregor from Minnesota Valley Action Council.
You have driven by our offices on Victory Dr. so you have seen the name. You may have even heard from us when we contacted you to sponsor our fundraiser Warm Your Heart and yet you still have no idea who or what we are.
Read MoreThree Key Reasons to Ensure A Full Count in the 2020 Census
The decennial census was established by Article I Section 2 of the US Constitution. The Census was first administered in 1790 and has been held every 10 years since. Responding to the Census is important for reasons other than the fact that it is required by federal law. Three key reasons are highlighted below.
Minnesota is at risk to lose a seat in the US House of Representatives
The primary and originally intended purpose of the decennial census is the apportion the representation in the US House of Representatives. While Minnesota’s above average population growth would ostensibly allow us to keep our congressional seats, we are actually growing slower than some of the fastest growing states. This means that current estimates put us between ~6,700-22,000 people shy of the mark in order to avoid losing our first congressional seat since 1963. Nearby, Iowa lost a district after the 2010 census and Wisconsin lost a district after the 2000 census. Coming as close as we can to a complete count may be the only way to maintain our current level of representation in Congress.
US Census data is a key factor used when budgeting federal programs
US Census data is also used for the distribution & budgeting of federal funding. One example of a federally funded program impacting Mankato would be the Summer Lunch Program, which is funded by the US Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program. It is estimated that roughly 1,000,000 children between the ages of 0-4 (4.6% of the total population that age) were not counted in the 2010 Census. Achieving an accurate count of our 0-4 year olds could be imperative to ensuring that the school district receives adequate funding to continue this program.
Census data is important when businesses are making decisions
When businesses are looking to expand to the area, Greater Mankato Growth is frequently a first stop where they can get the data they need to make an informed decision. Existing businesses also come to us for data to make decisions regarding growth, wages, and to learn about the regional labor shed. While many of Greater Mankato Growth’s resources don’t come directly from the US Census, virtually all of them start with US Census Data, and use statistical analysis and/or original research to extrapolate from there.
The following is a guest blog post submitted by Greater Mankato Growth member, Lori Creighton of Homestead Media, LLC. The blog post is about how employee testimonials can help with the recruitment process.
Are you part of a Greater Mankato member business and have an interest in writing a guest blog for us? Send 500-800 words to media@greatermankato.com or reach out to Greater Mankato Growth with further questions.
Read MoreA Glance at the Major Ransomware Attacks that hit Healthcare Sector in 2019
The following article was submitted by Sean Dahlman from Greater Mankato Growth member business, Pantheon Computers. It is about cyber security and how it relates specifically to the healthcare sector.
Are you part of a Greater Mankato member business and have an interest in writing a guest blog for us? Send 500-800 words to media@greatermankato.com or reach out to Greater Mankato Growth with further questions.
