Last week, details came out about Governor Dayton’s upcoming jobs summit on October 25th.  While this event will certainly be a great chance to gather input from an even broader spectrum of Minnesotans about how we get our economy working again, it will be just one of a series of steps our administration is taking to put Minnesotans back to work.
 
Preceding the summit, Governor Dayton has visited nearly a dozen communities asking for input from all Minnesotans about how we can grow businesses and create jobs across the state.  Most recently, he was in Duluth soliciting ideas from business leaders and community officials.  Several business leaders cited government incentives that allowed them to expand or grow their companies, and the Governor reiterated his belief that government has a role to play in job creation.
 
One of the things that government can do to ensure that private businesses can hire is to help small businesses access the capital they need to grow.  Last week the Department of Employment and Economic Development announced a new grant that would mean $15.5 million in new funding for small business lenders.  This public/private partnership will help thousands of small businesses in our state and create up to 3,000 jobs.

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This morning, the Grand Forks Herald has a story on Governor Dayton's regional economic development summit in Thief River Falls. The article highlights the Governor's focus on job creation throughout the state.

“Jobs and economic growth are my goal for the next three years,” Gov. Dayton said during the summit. See the article below.

Grand Forks Herald: Jobs, population discussed during northwest Minnesota summit

THIEF RIVER FALLS — In the midst of a struggling statewide economy, the community of Thief River Falls has a problem other Minnesota cities might wish they had.

Thief River Falls and neighboring communities such as Roseau, located in the northwest corner of the state, have plenty of jobs but are in need of more people and more housing.

At a regional economic development summit held Monday at the theater on the campus of Northland Community and Technical College, 16 panelists, including Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton, answered questions and addressed concerns about the lack of available housing and workers.

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The Duluth News Tribune highlighted Governor Dayton's regional economic development summit at the University of Minnesota – Duluth on Friday.

Over 150 people attended the summit, which was aimed at gathering the best ideas on job creation from Minnesotans and to highlight Minnesota’s strong business climate and economic development opportunities. See below:

Duluth News Tribune: Economic development forum in Duluth focuses on jobs

More than 150 people participated in an economic development forum at the University of Minnesota Duluth on Friday. Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton sat with 14 other people on a panel in Kirby Ballroom that included state legislators, economic developers and people running area businesses.

The obvious topic was about how to create more jobs in what Dayton called a “different economic era.” He praised efforts in Duluth to revitalize its downtown as a sign that people working together “against the grain” can overcome economic obstacles.

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It was announced this week that the Governor's statewide jobs summit has been scheduled for October 25th.

Governor Dayton will outline his priorities, strategies and initiatives for business development and job growth statewide and will focus on key areas of concern -- and opportunity -- that emerged during the regional economic summits he's convened throughout Minnesota.

For more more information on the Governor's Jobs Summit and how to register, click here.

Check out the invitation to the Governor's Jobs Summit below from Kathy Tunheim, Senior Advisor to the Governor for Job Creation:

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Governor Dayton will convene regional economic development summits in Duluth and Thief River Falls on Friday, October 7 and Monday, October 10, respectively.

The summit in Duluth will be held at the University of Minnesota - Duluth and the summit in Thief River Falls will be held at the Northland Community & Technical College.

The summits are aimed at gathering the best ideas on job creation from Minnesotans and to highlight Minnesota’s strong business climate and economic development opportunities. Governor Dayton will be joined by Lieutenant Governor Yvonne Prettner Solon for the summit in Duluth.

Governor Dayton is encouraging Minnesotans to weigh in with their best ideas on how to keep our economy strong. Minnesotans are encouraged to go to the Governor’s Idea Center at http://mn.gov/governor to share their ideas.

Governor Dayton has been holding regional summits throughout the state, including: Winona, Fergus Falls, Brainerd, Virginia, Faribault and International Falls. These summits will culminate in a statewide jobs summit later this month.

Check out some of the statewide news coverage below.

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Great news for Minnesota small businesses today.

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced that it has been awarded $15.5 million in federal funding for programs that will support small-business lending in the state.

The funding, from President Obama’s Small Business Jobs Act, will provide loan guarantees to lenders making loans to Minnesota small businesses, make money available to lenders for direct loans of up to $150,000 and provide seed money for angel investment funds.

“This award is great news for Minnesota businesses, which are having difficulties accessing the capital necessary to expand and provide new jobs in our state,” said Gov. Mark Dayton.  “President Obama’s initiative will mean more jobs for Minnesota.”

"These funds will help break down barriers to loans for creditworthy small businesses looking to invest and hire in their local communities," said U.S. Treasurer Rosie Rios. "This program will help ensure that more Main Street entrepreneurs have access to the credit they need to expand their businesses and create new jobs."

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