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Carver County, MN, is a community built on relationships and that welcome is amplified during the holidays. The best part of the season may be those special moments, shopping at a local store where owners greet you by name, swap stories, and ask how your family is doing.Even with the...Continue Reading

Unseasonably warm September weather has set the stage for an extravagant fall experience in Carver County. Families and friends will find brilliant outings await at numerous apple orchards and in more than 4,000 acres of parks. Get outside today to enjoy the fall weather, sweet treats and the best Minnesota...Continue Reading

While summer may soon be a distant sight in our rearview mirror, there is still plenty of fun to be had in Carver County before the snowflakes fly. September and October are absolute perfection for local breweries and wineries, offering opportunities to sip on tasty drinks with friends and family...Continue Reading

Hiring by America’s employers picked up a bit in August from July’s sluggish pace, and the unemployment rate dipped for the first time since March in a sign that the job market may be cooling but remains sturdy.Employers added 142,000 jobs last month, up from just 89,000 in July, the...Continue Reading

By Doug LoonPresident and CEOMinnesota Chamber of CommerceThis week, I want to share more about the Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota contest, brought to you by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and BMO. The voting portion of the contest kicked off this past Tuesday and we had 20,000 votes in...Continue Reading

Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan are recognizing Workforce Development Month by highlighting efforts to connect more Minnesotans to high-growth, high-demand jobs through job training and workforce development programs. The state's Dual Training Grant program has now been expanded to include the child care industry, providing $450,000 to...Continue Reading

The first Leading CareerForce partner in the CareerForce Spotlight this Workforce Development Month is Workforce Development, Inc., which is being recognized for its innovation partnership with the city of Rochester and local Built Environment companies (including firms engaged in construction, design, maintenance and other related fields). But the most innovative...Continue Reading

During a visit to Wisconsin today, President Joe Biden and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack will announce more than $7.3 billion in financing for rural electric cooperatives to build clean energy for rural communities across the country through the Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program. Together, New...Continue Reading

It’s Workforce Development Month – a time to highlight how workforce development professionals across the state are connecting Minnesotans with employment and helping Minnesota employers hire the staff they need for their businesses to thrive. Governor Walz just proclaimed September as Workforce Development Month – one of the many ways...Continue Reading

The airport in your community provides valuable services that are often overlooked. In addition to providing a runway, fuel, and a building, airports can be a hub of economic activity. It is an economic asset with the potential to produce revenue and services for the community.General Aviation FactsGenerates over $150...Continue Reading

Site readiness programs have significantly evolved over the decades, influenced by changing project demands and market trends.New York pioneered proactive site readiness with the Build Now New York program in the late 1990s. Initially, these programs centered on earning certifications, like a seal of approval — signaling credibility but varying...Continue Reading

The implementation of the InvestPorto's Business Explorer platform represents a significant advance in Porto’s strategy of attracting investments and economic development. This tool offers valuable insights into Porto's economic landscape. From industry clusters to labour force statistics, FDI data, talent overview, and available properties for setting up your business in...Continue Reading

Downtown isn’t just for cities, urban areas or song lyrics anymore. In the realm of economic development, the concept of a "downtown" has become a focal point for communities of all sizes. Far from being limited to major urban centers, downtowns play a significant role in fostering economic growth, cultural...Continue Reading

In the last five years, exciting technological breakthroughs have substantially accelerated growth and competition in a race to bring new products to market, demanding that design and construction teams deliver projects that are bigger, faster, and more expensive. The “new norm” demands that we start these projects with far less...Continue Reading

Governor Tim Walz and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) today announced more than $5 million for three business expansion projects in the state. The projects are expected to support 175 jobs and leverage $72 million in outside investment."We didn't achieve our ranking as a top state...Continue Reading

Visitors to the island in the middle of Lake Waconia will now know it as Coney Island of the West and have a little history about it upon arrival.A gateway monument was unveiled there on Aug. 6, to welcome visitors to the island. There's a map on the front, historical...Continue Reading

Visitors, even residents of Cologne, may learn a few things about the town’s history in the mural that was unveiled last month for the community's Glad Days celebration.The mural painted on the west wall of the old fire station on John Avenue at Fritz Field, represents a painted tapestry of...Continue Reading

Many gathered to celebrate the 2024 “Seeds of Knowledge & Healing” Hmong garden in the Garden Gallery at the Farm at the Arb in Chanhassen. FOX 9 Photojournalist Scott Wise captures the moment.Watch the full segment here.Continue Reading

On April 19, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a rule listing perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) as “hazardous substances” under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as Superfund. The new rule clears the way for environmental investigations to determine if PFAS are...Continue Reading

Thanks to the collective efforts of many, Cologne's Communities of Belonging initiative unveiled a beautiful new mural - celebrating Cologne's rich history - during the community's Glad Days celebration last weekend. The mural is painted on the west side wall of the old fire barn near the splash pad in...Continue Reading

Carver County Parks is celebrating the start of reconstruction on its playground at Lake Minnewashta Regional Park. Agencies involved in the project participated in a groundbreaking event on Tuesday, July 16. Among the participants were: Carver County commissioners, the Metropolitan Council, SRF Consulting, Blackstone Construction, and Carver County Parks &...Continue Reading

A golf score in the 80s isn’t bad. Neither was the decade. The Waconia Chamber of Commerce went back to the 1980s with its 2024 golf scramble on Monday, July 15, at Island View Golf Club.The annual event to showcase, support, and strengthen the local business community included not only...Continue Reading

While National Parks and Recreation Month has been celebrated every July for nearly 40 years, Carver County residents and visitors have known the area possesses outdoor treasures for even longer. With seemingly endless parks and countless hiking trails, streams, and natural wonders to explore, summer is a great time to...Continue Reading

Norwood Young America conducted a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, June 25, at Tacoma Office West Industrial Park Phase 2. That's a 61-acre shovel ready site located at the southwest corner of Highway 212 and Tacoma Avenue south of the current industrial park. The park has provided opportunities for new and existing...Continue Reading