ST. PAUL – Minnesota has one of the fastest-growing economies in the country, according to a study by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). The U.S. Commerce Department bureau said Minnesota tied California for fifth place in growth of gross domestic product (GDP) last year, based on data for durable-goods manufacturing, construction, mining, agriculture, wholesale trade, and finance and insurance.

STOCKHOLM, Sweden – Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton and a Swedish official signed a document today that pledges to continue working together on research, technology and public policy related to the field of bioenergy. Governor Dayton and Daniel Johansson, an official with the Swedish Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications, signed a memorandum of understanding to continue the relationship during an event in Stockholm this afternoon.

June 11 - DEED Awards Training Grant for NewPage Duluth Mill Workforce

June 11 - DEED Awards 32 Small Cities Development Grants, Funding wil be used to rehabilitate housing across the state

ST. PAUL – Minnesota Radio Talking Book is hosting the 2013 annual conference of the International Association of Audio Information Services (IAAIS) in Minneapolis this week. The association, which provides audio information services for people who cannot read conventional print because of blindness or other visual, physical or learning disabilities, will meet at the Sheraton Minneapolis Midtown Hotel, 2901 Chicago Ave. S., on Thursday through Saturday, June 6-8. Conference host Minnesota Radio Talking Book is managed by State Services for the Blind, a program within DEED that helps people...

ST. PAUL – A delegation of 35 business executives, government officials and higher education leaders will accompany Gov. Mark Dayton on his trade mission to Germany, Sweden and Norway on June 12-21. The group will visit key business centers in Berlin, Dusseldorf/Cologne, Oslo and Stockholm, meet with business leaders and government officials, and participate in networking events and other activities.

June 4 - DEED Spearheads Business First Stop Tour, Discussions held with local businesses to align resources and streamline projects

ROSEAU, Minn. – DEED Commissioner Katie Clark Sieben and Minnesota Housing Commissioner Mary Tingerthal met with officials in Roseau today to discuss the Housing and Job Growth Initiative, which makes funding available for housing in support of economic development in job-growth areas across the state. The meeting highlighted $10 million going to the Housing and Job Growth Initiative that was signed into law by Gov. Mark Dayton as part of the Agency’s nearly $100 million budget during the 2013 legislative session. Funding for this initiative will help address housing challenges in Roseau...

DEED Commissioner Katie Clark Sieben joined Duluth Mayor Don Ness and other local officials today to emphasize the importance of exports in Minnesota, particularly in Duluth, where many of the state's exports are shipped through the Port of Duluth-Superior to international markets.

The Minnesota unemployment rate fell to a seasonally adjusted 5.3 percent in April, according to figures released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The agency said the jobless rate fell to its lowest point since May 2008 and remains well below the U.S. rate of 7.5 percent in April.

ST. PAUL -- Minnesota exports of agricultural, mining and manufactured products set a record for the second consecutive year in 2012, climbing 1.2 percent to $20.6 billion, according to figures released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). According to DEED’s 2012 Export Report, state exports increased last year by $246 million to break the previous record of $20.3 billion set in 2011. Among all states, Minnesota ranked 20th in export sales in 2012, with manufacturing exports supporting nearly 115,000 Minnesota jobs.

ST. PAUL – DEED launched a new blog today aimed at providing practical guidance for aspiring entrepreneurs and new business owners in Minnesota. Dubbed Minnesota Business 101, the weekly blog touches on topics ranging from how to organize and register a business to licensing, regulations and financing. It will focus primarily on helping new business owners navigate through DEED’s Guide to Starting a New Business in Minnesota.

The Minnesota unemployment rate dropped 0.1 percent in March to a seasonally adjusted 5.4 percent, according to figures released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has awarded a $197,000 grant under its Minnesota Job Skills Partnership (MJSP) to train 337 employees of Minneapolis-based Kraus-Anderson Construction Co.

DEED Commissioner Katie Clark Sieben met with Mankato officials today during a trip that included tours of the Mankato civic center and the Tailwind redevelopment project. Gov. Mark Dayton last week proposed $14.5 million in his bonding bill for improving and expanding the city’s Verizon Wireless Civic Center, while DEED recently awarded $2.2 million for public infrastructure improvements related to the city’s downtown Tailwind project. The civic center project would create about 110 permanent jobs in the downtown area and 450 construction jobs, while attracting more than $30 million in...

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) awarded grants totaling $2.67 million for four projects that will create 56 full-time jobs and retain another 100. The funding was awarded under DEED’s Redevelopment Grant Program for projects in Mankato, Minneapolis, St. Paul and Washington County.

Apr. 5 - Fourth Annual Northland Job Fair Set for Duluth, Free event to be held at DECC Paulucci Hall

Apr. 2 - DEED Awards Training Grant for Thermo King Employees

Apr. 1 - DEED Commissioner Visits Iron Range, Sieben meets local officials, tours companies

Minnesota entrepreneurs and inventors are encouraged to submit their innovative business ideas for the Minnesota Cup contest. Participants in the ninth annual event will be competing for $200,000 in prize money for breakthrough business products or services in six categories. The grand prize winner of last year’s contest, Julie Gilbert Newrai, took home $65,000 for developing PreciouStatus, a mobile application platform that allows daycare providers, hospitals and care facilities to communicate in real time with their loved ones.