Minnsights Blog

As Small Business Week greets us again, I am thrilled that so many of the finer qualities of small business people are being celebrated. But as a member of this grand fellowship, I know that one quality, above all others, allows us to stay on this side of the sod. We believe we will succeed even when there isn’t a dollar on the horizon and misfortune is building a permanent basecamp in our lobby.

Pay transparency is when an employer is open and clear about pay for jobs at the organization and why people are paid what they’re paid.

Recently, the Minnesota Waste Wise Foundation celebrated it's 30th anniversary by united current and former team members, board members and community partners. Since its inception in 1994, starting with the 'It’s in the Bag' program and a focus on blue wrap in healthcare, the industry has evolved significantly. 

Located in Owatonna, Bushel Boy Farms is growing tomatoes, strawberries, and cucumbers year-round. Yes, right here in Minnesota! With 32 acres of indoor greenhouses, there is a blend of natural and mechanical lighting used to nurture plant health and fruit flavor. Bushel Boy Farms opted to upgrade from the high intensity discharge lighting family of high-pressure sodium lamps at 840 watts per bulb to more efficient LED lamps.   

Despite the many changes that Minnesota’s economy experienced over the past two years, its labor market has remained remarkably stable. Minnesota ended December 2023 with a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 2.9%. The December before that in 2022, the state’s unemployment rate was also 2.9%. And the December before that in 2021, it was nearly identical at 3.0%. At the core of this stable job market lies two factors: one positive and one negative.