Tag: Governor Walz

Greater Mankato Growth Sends Letter to Governor Walz

by Greater Mankato Growth, posted in Business Development, Public Affairs, Talent Development

Today, Greater Mankato Growth sent a letter to Governor Tim Walz providing statistics to create awareness of talent challenges facing our region.

The Department of Employment and Economic Development has taken great strides to ensure that individuals receiving unemployment insurance are aware of the job opportunities that exist across the state.

We asked that the State implement measures to supplement the work that is being done surrounding awareness of job availability by creating enforcement measures, while offering flexibility for those still impacted by COVID-19 considerations. You can read the full letter here.

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MN Governor Announces Changes to COVID restrictions

by Greater Mankato Growth, posted in Business Development, Public Affairs

Today, Governor Walz announced reduced COVID-19 restrictions (Executive Order 21-11) for social gatherings, increases to business capacity limits, and increases to large venue capacity limits.

EO 21-11 FinalDownload

A summary was provided from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic development:

Effective Monday, March 15th, at 12:00pm (Noon): 

To make it easier to safely gather with family, we are doing the following: 

  • Social gatherings: Up to 50 people outdoors or 15 people for indoor gatherings, both without household limits. 
  • Religious services: Remove capacity limits but social distancing required.  

Continue reading “MN Governor Announces Changes to COVID restrictions” →

What We Know about the Proposed MN State Relief Packages

by Greater Mankato Growth, posted in Public Affairs

Update: Details of the final relief bill have not yet been announced. A special session is expected to take place on December 14, 2020 and state leaders are optimistic that legislators will be able to work out an agreement by that time.

MN State Government leaders announced two proposed relief packages for businesses and individuals who have been impacted by the recent shutdown and COVID-19 in general. Legislators are still working through the details of both packages with a final relief package expected to be released on December 1. Greater Mankato Growth will share additional information as soon as it becomes available.

Here’s what we know about the Governor’s proposed package:

  1. Direct relief through the Minnesota Department of Revenue is planned for all 14,000 businesses affected by the shutdown.
    • Details on this are not specific, but Governor Walz referenced direct payments to businesses and waiver of regulatory fees. Governor Walz also called for a moratorium on eviction for small businesses.
  2. Extension of unemployment benefits by 13 weeks to individuals who have been on long-term unemployment.
  3. Direct payments of $500 to families receiving MFIP or DWP benefits.
  4. A one time grant is being proposed for restaurants to supply healthcare workers, homeless shelters, and long-term care facilities.
  5. Proposed tax credit for businesses that donate food that would otherwise spoil or be thrown away.

Continue reading “What We Know about the Proposed MN State Relief Packages” →

MN Governor Announces Dial Back on Social Activities

by Greater Mankato Growth, posted in Business Development, Public Affairs

Today, Governor Tim Walz announces Executive Order 20-99 taking effect on Friday, November 20 at 11:59 p.m. (CST). 

In general, key points from the Governor’s announcement include: 

Continue reading “MN Governor Announces Dial Back on Social Activities” →

Governor Walz Announces Changes to Social Setting Limitations

by Greater Mankato Growth, posted in Business Development, Public Affairs

Today, Governor Tim Walz announced Executive Order 20-96 (click the link for full details) , taking effect on Friday, November 13 at 10 p.m. (CST).  The announcement amends Executive Order 20-74 with specific steps for social gatherings and guidelines for bars and restaurants. 


In general, the order calls for the following measures: 

  • Limits all social gatherings (indoor or outdoor) to 10 people and all social gatherings involving members of more than 3 households (regardless of the size of the gathering). 
  • Bars, restaurants, food courts, cafes, coffeehouses, taverns, brewery taprooms, wineries, golf courses and clubs, dining clubs, tobacco shops, and other places of public accommodation offering food, beverages, tobacco products for on-premises consumption, are required to close by 10 p.m. every day, starting Friday, November 13. Delivery service, or curbside pick up options already in place for certain industries in this group is still allowed. 
  • Venues that host celebrations, receptions, and gatherings will be capped at 50 people, effective November 27 at 10 p.m. 
  • No bar seating service.
  • This figure is reduced to 25 people on December 11 at 10 p.m.  

The Governor also announced a proposal for $10 million in additional funding to businesses that have already applied for relief through the Small Business Relief Grant Program.  This program provides $10,000 grants to impacted businesses. 

Governor Walz Announces Statewide Indoor Mask Mandate

by Patrick Baker, posted in Public Affairs

FromTheDomeToday Governor Walz announced a new EO-20-81-Final implementing a statewide requirement to wear facial coverings when inside indoor businesses and indoor public settings. This requirement will be effective beginning July 25. You can find general information and FAQs on the mask mandate here. In addition, below are FAQs provided by the MN Department of Employment and Economic Development relating specifically to business questions. Continue reading “Governor Walz Announces Statewide Indoor Mask Mandate” →

Governor Walz Announces Additional Loosening of Business Restrictions for June 10

by Patrick Baker, posted in Public Affairs

FromTheDomeGovernor Tim Walz today announced a new executive order that would allow for additional businesses to reopen and further loosening of restrictions for others effective June 10 (Phase III).

The new order allows: Continue reading “Governor Walz Announces Additional Loosening of Business Restrictions for June 10” →

Greater Mankato Growth Sends Letter to Governor Walz

by Patrick Baker, posted in Public Affairs

FromTheDomeToday Greater Mankato Growth sent a letter to Governor Walz respectfully requesting that he allow all businesses the opportunity to reopen in a way that is safe, sustainable, and equitable with their peers. You can read the letter here.

Greater Mankato Growth is also looking for members to film a video testimonial to the Governor explaining how your business can open safely. Please contact Patrick Baker (pbaker@greatermankato.com) for more details.

Gov. Walz Announces Additional Business Reopenings for June 1

by Patrick Baker, posted in Business Development, Public Affairs

FromTheDomeGovernor Tim Walz today announced a new executive order that would allow for additional businesses to reopen effective June 1 (Phase II). The governor additionally outlined additional phases (Phases III & IV) that will be coming in the future as the state continues to reopen businesses and other activities, however the timeline for when those phases will go into effect is not yet known.

Clarification was also provided that effective immediately, youth sports can conduct practices of up to 10 people, but that games would not be allowed until the next phase of openings. Continue reading “Gov. Walz Announces Additional Business Reopenings for June 1” →

Governor Walz Announces Additional Business Openings & Stay Safe Guidance

by Patrick Baker, posted in Public Affairs

FromTheDomeGovernor Tim Walz today announced a series of new executive orders and future actions that would:

  1. End the Stay at Home Order as scheduled on May 18, replacing it with a Stay Safe Order. Gatherings up to 10 people will be permitted.
  2. Will allow all retailers to open to in store customers at reduced capacity effective May 18.
  3.  Allow restaurants, salons, fitness centers, and other entertainment venues etc. to open June 1 under restrictions to be announced on May 20.
  4. Protect workers from unsafe working conditions and retaliation.

Continue reading “Governor Walz Announces Additional Business Openings & Stay Safe Guidance” →