Latest news with #MinnesotaDepartmentofEmploymentandEconomicDevelopment
CBS News
25-04-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Proposal in Minnesota Legislature would repeal jobless benefits expansion for hourly school workers
There is a clash at the state capitol over jobless benefits for hourly school workers during the summer months that could be a sticking point in end-of-session negotiations. A 2023 Minnesota law made employees like bus drivers, teacher aides and food service workers eligible for unemployment insurance between two academic years when students are on break. The state approved $135 million in supplemental aid to cover the cost instead of schools until 2027 or sooner if the money ran dry. Now there is a debate over extending that funding — and by how much — and another about repealing the law altogether. In the tied House, an education funding deal between Republicans and Democrats that will be officially published next week would end the expanded unemployment benefits in September 2028. During a news conference Friday, workers impacted warned that any change would force them to quit in order to make ends meet. Cat Briggs, a school bus driver, said the benefits covered half of her weekly wages last year. "That little bit of economic security meant that I did not have to choose between taking care of my kids — my bus, my kids — and my grandchildren," she said. "If the legislature takes away my unemployment benefits, there is no way I can continue in my job, it will be economically impossible. I will have to resign." Workers like Briggs say the benefits have helped them stay in their jobs, while some school districts rebuff the claim that it helps with retention of employees. More than 21,000 hourly school employees are eligible for the benefits, according to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. But any proposed changes in the House bill next week are far from final. Education leads in that chamber will have to work with the DFL-controlled Senate and Gov. Tim Walz to hash out differences in all spending plans before the next two-year budget is actually complete. In a statement, Rep. Ron Kresha, the Republican co-chair of the House Education Finance Committee said this about the proposal: "After Governor Walz proposed to cut school funding, the House GOP responded with a robust, flexible funding bill empowering schools to recruit and retain the best staff." House Speaker Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, this week told reporters this issue was a sticking point during negotiations. Due to the tie, no bill will pass off the House floor without bipartisan agreement. "When it gets put back on the taxpayers statewide, and then eventually it will be put back on the communities, the problem with that is we would be paying for people to stay home and not educate kids," Demuth said. "Those are hourly workers that had temporary jobs, whether they were a few months or a few hours, whatever that would be. It doesn't line up with regular unemployment." Meanwhile, the Senate education funding bill keeps the program in place and also earmarks more state aid to schools so they don't have to pick up the tab. Many districts are facing budget shortfalls this year. Rep. Emma Greenman, DFL-Minnepaolis, called the issue a "line in the sand moment for Democrats." "The choice is clear for DFLers: do we acquiesce to the Republicans' cruel agenda of taking away things from workers, particularly our most vulnerable workers, or do we reject and resist GOP efforts to take away protections and benefits?" she said. Lawmakers must adjourn session May 19 to avoid a special session, which has happened frequently in recent years when there has been divided state government.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Medical device company to close Maple Grove facility, cut 101 jobs
Come July, more than 100 workers in Maple Grove are expected to be laid off. Teleflex, a Pennsylvania-based medical device provider, is closing all operations at its Maple Grove facility and expects to lay off 101 employees July 1, according to a notice filed last week with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. The Maple Grove site, located at 6464 Sycamore Ct. N., was used to create diagnostic and interventional catheters. Laboratory and manufacturing operations are expected to cease by June 30 and a complete closure of the building is expected by March 2026. A spokesperson for Teleflex did not immediately respond to a Pioneer Press request for comment. The impacted employees are not part of a union and no bumping rights exist, according to the notice. Earlier this year, Teleflex announced it would split into two public entities. The new entity, NewCo, will consist of its urology, acute care and OEM businesses while the other, RemainCo, houses hospital-focused vascular access, interventional and surgical businesses, MedTechDive reported. The same day the split was announced, Teleflex also announced its roughly $790 million acquisition of 'all of the vascular intervention business' of medical technology and device company Biotronik, according to a news release from Teleflex. UnitedHealth cuts 2025 forecast after dealing with first-quarter care use spike Trump gripes about interest rates, says Fed Chair Powell's 'termination cannot come fast enough' US jobless benefit claims fall last week as labor market remains strong despite recession fears UnitedHealth's worst drop in decades weighs on US indexes even as most stocks tick higher Athena Bitcoin asks Stillwater to repeal cryptocurrency ATM ban
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
DMC opens third round of Main Street Economic Revitalization Grant program
Apr. 1—ROCHESTER — A third round of of the Main Street Economic Revitalization Grant funding opened Tuesday, April 1, 2025. The Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency, in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, is expected to award more than $720,000 in funds to local businesses in the DMC district and Lowertown Neighborhood. "Investing in our Main Street businesses strengthens the fabric of our community," Patrick Seeb, executive director of DMC EDA, said in a statement announcing the grant opportunity. "This grant program has already helped revitalize Rochester's business corridors, and we look forward to supporting even more projects that enhance our city's economic vitality." Grants of up to $175,000 are available per project, covering up to 30% of total project costs. Awards will be determined based on demand, and applicants may receive less than requested. Eligible businesses must be located in the two defined areas, with DMC district businesses near the planned Link Bus Rapid Transit corridor given priority, along with businesses in the Lowertown Neighborhood north of the downtown core. Funds can be used for property improvements, such as building repairs, renovations, new construction, landscaping, streetscaping, demolition, site preparation, design and engineering work, and non-public infrastructure. All awarded funds must be spent by June 30, 2026. Applications for the state funding must be submitted by April 16, and interested property owners and business tenants must demonstrate secured matching funds, which cannot come from other state or federal sources. The second and final funding session will open Aug. 4. For full eligibility details and to apply, visit the DMC Main Street Grant webpage at In the first two rounds of Main Street grants, the DMC EDA reported distributing nearly $4 million to more than 70 businesses and organizations. The program is linked to creating 300 permanent jobs and helping to fill 22 vacant spaces in Rochester.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Around 60 employees to be laid off at Plymouth shipping facility
Around 60 employees are set to be laid off as a logistics company closes its Plymouth facility. Veyer, a Florida-based logistics company, recently informed the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development that it intends to shutter its operations located at 1105 Xenium Lane in Plymouth. The layoffs will affect around 60 employees over a 14-day period beginning April 28. Veyer is a subsidiary of The ODP Corporation, which also owns Office Depot and OfficeMax. Affected positions include office and warehouse associates, delivery drivers, general managers, maintenance mechanics, equipment operators and managers. None of the affected employees are union members, according to the letter from Veyer.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New grant for St. Cloud downtown revitalization
St. Cloud's downtown businesses will get a boost from new state funding, which was announced Thursday. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development awarded a $624,000 grant to the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation as part of its Main Street Economic Revitalization programming. The award, which provides 30% matching grants up to $750,000, was part of the third and final round of the program's funding. Art Hub: Cream City Tattoo owner launches new resource for artists, businesses St. Cloud's grant will go toward construction, property renovations, designs and other infrastructure improvements, according to a DEED press release about the funding. "Main Street businesses are essential to local and regional economic growth," DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek said in a release. "Through these grants, DEED is helping support economic revitalization that generates excitement among residents, community leaders and businesses around Minnesota." More: Spotlight on rising influencers: Nominate St. Cloud's top 5 under 40 professionals The Main Street Economic Revitalization Grant Program started in 2021 and has provided $80 million in funding across all three rounds, with St. Cloud previously receiving $1.5 million in 2022. Since the program launched, the grants have helped maintain or create more than 8,700 jobs and increased local tax bases by nearly $369 million, DEED said in the release. African food: East African with an American twist: New restaurant serves up fusion food in St. Cloud St. Cloud's newest grant is part of almost $6.2 million awarded to nine organizations throughout the state. Greater Bemidji, Greater Mankato Growth and Little Falls' Initiative Foundation are among the other organizations that received funding. Applications will open soon for St. Cloud businesses to apply for funding from the grant. This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: St. Cloud gets Main Street Economic Revitalization grant
