Lisa Hughes, the southwest regional economic developer for the MN Department of Employment and Economic Development, is our guest again this week on Rural MN Radio as we continue our conversation on what businesses are looking for when they consider moving to Greater Minnesota. These businesses are increasingly sophisticated, so there is definitely a role for the technical colleges and universities to turn out skilled workers, says Hughes. Companies with proprietary practices are also looking more at training in house. The jobs–and pay–are there, ready and waiting.

What businesses want, part 2

This week on Rural MN Radio we have the first part of a three-part interview with Lisa Hughes, the southwest regional economic developer for the MN Department of Employment and Economic Development. Lisa’s job is to be something of an economic matchmaker, working with businesses that want to locate or expand in Minnesota and the communities that would like to have these businesses call them home. In this first part, Lisa gives us some insight into what businesses are looking for in a host community. It’s very different from what it used to be.

What businesses want, part 1

Two weeks ago we talked with author Jay Walljasper, who is writing a series of articles for the McKnight Foundation’s “Food for Thought” series on what makes communities livable. In this second part, Walljasper tells us how, in his travels around the state looking at rural communities, he has found that the sense of community and the energy to get things done are real determining factors in what makes a livable place.

What makes a community livable? Part 2

It’s a rite of summer. Farm Fest is upon, running Aug. 4-6 at the Gilfillan Estate near Redwood Falls. This week on Rural MN Radio, Samantha Castro of IDEAg, which operates Farm Fest, tells us about Rural Broadband Day on Tuesday, Aug. 4, and why they have chosen to devote a day to this important topic.

Farm Fest 2015: Rural Broadband Day

There’s a lot of talk lately about attracting workers to our communities, but how are we going to compete? Author Jay Walljasper talks with us about a series of reports he’s writing for the McKnight Foundation’s “Food for Thought” series. Walljasper is visiting towns around the state to see how they’re doing and what they’re doing to make their communities a better place to live.

What makes a community livable?

In the second part of our conversation with Rep. Dean Urdahl, he and Jim look at some of the ways Legacy funding is being used around the state for clean water, habitat restoration, the arts, and renovation of historic places. State Rep. Urdahl (Litchfield) is chair of the House Legacy Committee.

Legacy funding, part 2