• The U.S. is on track to exceed 800K COVID deaths this week, a year after the vaccine rollout began. More than 120,000 coronavirus cases are emerging each day, with outbreaks worsening in the Great Lakes region and in the Northeast.

 

• Omicron looms, but how large remains to be seen. Certainly, companies are rethinking return-to-office plans amid omicron cases. Maybe February?

 

• Last week, Minnesota health officials launched a campaign encouraging people to get their COVID-10 booster shots in time for holiday gatherings later this month. The challenge? Appointments are hard to find due to staff shortages.  Prolonged staffing shortages are impacting hospitals and long-term care facilities as well.

• Greater MSP releases its 2021 MSP Regional Indicators Dashboard. Download the Dashboard and share it widely.

• U.S. employers have posted near-record 11M open jobs as of October, nearly matching a record high reached in July. Included is updated data that the number of people quitting their jobs dropped slightly in October as well.

• Surging inflation is forcing people and businesses to adapt. The government’s report Friday that consumer prices jumped 6.8% over the past year – the highest such inflation rate in 39 years – showed that some of the largest cost spikes have been for such necessities as food, energy, housing, autos, and clothing. Especially hard hit are lower-income households with little or no cash cushions. Given that troubling news, the Federal Reserve’s policy-setting committee may be pushed into raising rates sooner than previously expected, according to minutes from the November meeting.

​

• Debt limit: Lawmakers appear on track to meet Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's Wednesday deadline to raise the federal debt limit. It comes after Biden signed legislation that includes a provision to allow the Senate to raise the borrowing cap with only Democratic support. What we're watching: How much will Democrats raise the debt limit by, and in turn, how long will the reprieve last? It's likely to extend until after next year's midterm elections, but that text has yet to emerge. 

 

• EDA Funding
  • The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects that ‘Build Back Better’ programs will add $3T to the deficit if made permanent.
  • 529 applications were received for Phase 1 of EDA’s “Build Back Better Regional Challenge.” Applications came from regions across all 50 states and five territories. Check out the full list to see those from our region! For the latest news on American Rescue Plan grants, sign up for EDA’s newsletter here.
  • Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota and Ohio were among the first batch of states to receive $1 million Statewide Planning Grants. (Read more)
  • The Good Jobs Challenge allocates $500 million toward industry-led workforce training programs to help get Americans – particularly women, people of color, and those in underserved communities – back to work in good-paying jobs. Applications are due January 26, 2022. Know that St Paul/Minneapolis/Ramsey County/Hennepin County are working together on a regional application. The Good Jobs Challenge is part of a suite of EDA programs to equitably allocate $3 billion in American Rescue Plan funding. The following programs have rolling deadlines. Together with our partners, we are applying for funding from the Economic Adjustment Assistance program and the Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation program.
    • $500M Economic Adjustment Assistance program
    • $100M Indigenous Communities program
    • $240M Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation program

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• SBA funds:​
  • Economic Injury Disaster Loan and $10K EIDL Advance cash grant: applications due by December 31, 2021.

State:

• Key takeaways from Tuesday’s budget forecast – the biggest anticipated budget surplus in Minnesota’s history. Considering the billion-dollar loan Minnesota needs to repay the feds for unemployment, this is good news.

 

• MN House starts work on redistricting that courts will likely finish. Democrats released a plan just before Thanksgiving, and Republicans released a plan of their own to counter it last week.

 

• Governor Walz calls paid leave a “top priority” of the 2022 Session – as state is projected to see record surplus.

 
Regional

• Saint Paul City Council adopted the 2022 city budget last week.  13% increase from last year, included is a 6.17% levy increase and a second police academy for 2022, though city leadership still hasn’t decided to accept a $3.75M federal grant towards hiring 30 additional police officers. You can read more about the budget here.

 

• Interested in the long term effects of minimum wage increases? The Minneapolis Fed is tasked with tracking this over the next 7+ years. Their first analysis and report (based on 2018 data) recently was released.

 
Read more updates in our weekly Chamber Advocacy Update.

• Here are Minne Inno’s 2021 Startups to Watch!

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• Xcel Energy launches EV charging program for multifamily buildings. The pilot program was announced Wednesday. Building owners can pay a “low monthly fee” for charging equipment provided by Xcel Energy, or purchases and install their own equipment. As part of a partnership with HOURCAR, the U.S. Department of Energy, the American Lung Association and East Metro Strong, the pilot will support the installation of 50 electric vehicles at 25 multifamily sites, Xcel said.

 

• Brown Venture Group gets investment from Bank of America. This group exclusively funds Black, Latino, and Native American-owned technology start-ups. "Their financial commitment to our inaugural fund puts us significantly closer to our goal of raising $50 million and demonstrates a shared vision to accelerate racial equality by creating an infusion of capital into underserved BIPOC tech startups in Minnesota and across the country,” said Paul Campbell, co-founder and managing partner of Brown Venture Group.

 

• Data and diversity: the competitive advantage of DEI. A more diverse workforce and, subsequently, a more diverse leadership team, is an asset not just for the wider economy but individual companies themselves.

I was sick this weekend, spent a lot of time in bed and on Xfinity, Netflix, Amazon Prime (the latest musical version of Cinderella, with my favorite Idena Mendez, was fabulous BTW). I had lots of time to think, much of it about you. The burden we all have been carrying has weighed us down; maybe I’m not the only one who needed a weekend in bed.
 
What I dwelled on especially was what “cracked pots” we all are. Each week I talk to so many people, with such a wide variety of talents, skills, responsibilities, burdens. Not one of us is “perfect” in any of it. And, after these past 2 years, we’ve changed. We all carry scars; more now.
 
I used to think my scars flawed me. And I guess in a way they do. But if I can release my own need to be “perfect” in my work, perhaps I can breathe a little easier. In fact, it is our scars that make us uniquely perfect for what is in our lives now.  It is an unexpected truth, perhaps, but one you, too, need to get comfortable with: you are uniquely capable for the work before you. Your passion, your ideas, your care. Scars and all.
 
And the idea that you’re not enough, on your own, for all the work ahead? We need to get comfortable with that as well. Because it’s true.  We can’t “change the world” on our own. That said, needing and asking for help can be hard; the “thank you” harder. Because other people’s generosity can feel like a rebuke. May it never be so. What we need moving forward, as we gather ourselves for the future ahead, is a good old-fashioned barn raising.  I need you and I promise that I’ll be there for you, too. I’m quite good with a hammer.
 
See you in the trenches.
B

What do we know about the omicron variant in Minnesota? More omicron has been detected as hospitals strain under the Delta variant. A second case was found in December 1. It was detected in a Hennepin County resident who had returned from an anime convention in New York City. He started getting symptoms a couple days before he was tested on Nov. 24. That’s the same day the variant was first reported to the World Health Organization by scientists in South Africa.  He tested positive for the omicron variant before the public had even heard of it, let alone figured out how to pronounce it. It was also in Minnesota and California before President Biden restricted travel from southern Africa.  A 3rd federal team will arrive in Minnesota to support hospitals with COVID-19 treatment and patient care. In addition, the Minnesota National Guard is preparing for nursing home deployment.
 
A new generation of COVID-19 treatments – pills – will soon be available, and they matter more than many people realize.
 
Biden announces new COVID travel restrictions, extends mask mandate.
 
Here are links providing booster information:

• Boosters / COVID-19 Updates and Information - State of Minnesota (mn.gov)
• COVID-19 Vaccine for Children and Teens / COVID-19 Updates and Information - State of Minnesota (mn.gov)

​Federal:

• Congressional deadlines: With the government funded until Feb. 19, Congress is turning its attention to two rapidly approaching deadlines: the expiration of the National Defense Authorization Act at the end of the year and the need to raise the federal debt limit. What we're watching: The otherwise unrelated issues are reportedly coming up in the same conversations on Capitol Hill, with Senate leaders discussing tying the two measures together as part of a year-end package. Both House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) have poured cold water on the idea, and Hoyer is pushing to pass each item separately this week.

• Build Back Better: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is said to be planning to bring the Build Back Better Act to the Senate floor as soon as next week, with lawmakers hoping to get the massive climate and social spending bill to Biden's desk by the end of the year. What we're watching: Schumer's got a lot of work ahead of him, with Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) reportedly on the precipice of killing the inclusion of a national paid family and medical leave program and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) still withholding her public support for the overall package. And according to Punchbowl News, the Arizonan is telling colleagues she does not think the Build Back Better Act will pass the Senate before Christmas.

 
State:

• On Nov 23, House Republicans sent a letter to Gov. Walz requesting action to avert an impending tax increase on Minnesota businesses set to begin on December 15th to address the debt of more than $1 billion for the state's Unemployment Insurance (UI) Trust Fund. To date, no response from the Governor's office or DEED.

 
Regional

• Divided St. Paul City Council approves $3.5M in federal relief money for police radios.
• St. Paul residents facing property tax hikes condemn proposed levy increase.

 
 
Public Affairs Issue Forums: one final forum to finish out the year:

• Housing Math – December 8, 10-11am. Register here.

 
Read more updates in our weekly Chamber Advocacy Update.

​Holiday Events ahead in St. Paul!
​
Join Catholic Charities for a new holiday tradition this year: their Warming House presented by Luther Automotive on Friday, December 10, and Saturday, December 11, 2021. Located at the North parking lot at the Mall of America, this free, outdoor holiday event brings together the entire Twin Cities community for a fun, festive holiday experience. //cctwincities.org/warming-house/
 
The Rice Larpenteur Alliance is excited to present the Shop Local Guide.
 
Your Chamber’s annual Holiday Open House is back December 9 – with a special twist to thank businesses for their years of partnership. We look forward to seeing you there!

This particular topic is especially important to me. Every week I strive to bring resource to bear, to help all of us think differently about how to be – and build -leaders. I think a lot about my own team, and the trust they place in me every day to lead our organization and develop them. In order to do that the best I can, I look to mentors, I read books, and I listen to others who have gone before me. Here’s a good message to listen to. Simon Sinek talks about two things great leaders need to have: empathy and perspective. Our real job is not about being in charge; it’s about taking care of people in our charge.  A powerful paradigm shift.  ​