SJE-Rhombus named to 50 best list

Detroit Lakes manufacturer SJE-Rhombus was named one of the 50 Best Small & Medium Companies to Work for in America by the Great Place to Work Institute and the Society for Human Resource Management.

Make philanthropy a bigger driver in rural development

excerpted from the Des Moines Register (free subscription required)
By Steve Gunderson, 8/14/2007

The contributions of rural America are often equated with abundant sources of food, a strong work ethic and close-knit communities. While we would like to keep these hearty images secured in our minds, the reality is that many rural communities face serious challenges, such as population loss, a declining local economic base and a lack of government resources.
Strategies to enhance rural America focus on local economic development, state engagement in education and infrastructure and federal support through farm bills, rural-development programs and other initiatives. But a new partner in building rural America is emerging, found in long-term, strategic, charitable investments of philanthropy.

This is a unique moment in time. Rural resources built up over the past generation are now being transferred to new locations. Community foundations across the United States have begun to develop programs to estimate and guide this transfer. For example, the Nebraska Community Foundation estimates that rural Nebraskans will leave $94 billion to their heirs through 2050. If Nebraska could direct just 5 percent of this generational transfer of wealth into philanthropy, it would see $4.7 billion of foundation assets ready to serve the state for years into the future.

Full article (free subscription required)

Rural Minn. brainstorms ways to lift economy

excerpt from The Forum, 8-10-07

Communities in rural Minesota looking to grow their economy and stave off population declines need diverse businesses and the ability to attract young workers, a panel of experts said Thursday during a forum at Farmfest in Redwood Falls.

Read entire article.

Think tank says state is failing rural areas

excerpted from Becker County Record, 8-1-07

Minnesota 2020, a new think tank, issued a report that says the state is failing rural Minnesota by not aggressively assisting its small and emerging businesses, focusing too much attention chasing large manufacturing plants, and offering ineffectual tax subsidies.

the report suggested the state focus on four key areas in small business assistance: research and training; development and marketing; capital formation; and microenterprise loan funds.

Read full report.

In local news....

1. USDA tours projects on White Earth Reservation (Detroit Lakes Tribune, 7-29-07): The USDA's Rural Development agency has invested over $7.2 million throughout the reservation vis its Community Programs Division. Over $500,000 has been invested through the agency's Business and Cooperative programs, which help rural areas create jobs, start new businesses and invest in renewable energy ventures.

2. Have a business idea? Let the Idea Factory help (Chokio Review, 7-26-07): Paul Schwarz, marketing assistant with the Idea Factory, visits local communities once a week to talk over residents' dreams for new businesses. The Idea Factory is a co-venture of the Stevens County Economic Improvement Commission and the Center for Small Towns. Microgrants are available to develop business plans.

3. Job-seekers Web site receives grant from DEED (Morris Sun Tribune-News, 7-28-07): CareerOneStop, a Web site offering career resources and workforce information has been awarded a $1 million grant from the Dept. of Labor. The aim of the Web site is to help job seekers, students, businesses and workforce professionals develop their talent in a global economy.