Minnsights Blog

Small businesses are the economic engine of our state’s future. Without decisive action, many will be lost.

Since the onset of COVID-19, businesses innovated to create safe workplaces for both employees and customers. Chamber member Banner Engineering is taking this one step further, creating a line of sensor and workplace safety products to help regulate occupancy totals, create proper social distancing and ensure clean work spaces.

New employment data released by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic (DEED) show the devastating impact that COVID-19 has wrought on Minnesota’s economy since March.

As Minnesota’s businesses begin to emerge from the COVID-19 crisis, the Minnesota Chamber Foundation has been analyzing data about the economic impact of the seismic shifts of the last two months, including diminished demand and government interventions. 

Last week, Governor Walz announced outdoor restaurant patios, salons and campgrounds could open at limited capacity on June 1. However, indoor bars and restaurants, gyms, movie theaters and bowling alleys will remain closed until an unknown date in the future.