Paving the Way for Equitable Growth and Strengthening Economic Competitiveness

I hope the weekend was good for you, that you had the opportunity to thank a woman in your life – or maybe your loved ones celebrated you? – for the gift of motherhood. I had a special dinner with my two adult children, and I know that I am, indeed, blessed among women.

So….. Invest: Insights interviewed me as part of their focus on the GreaterMSP region in 2022.  My interview was focused on Creativity. I watched it today, and I am proud of the work we’re doing to grow and partner creatively. Our mission, our reason for existing, is to champion our diverse employer community for an economically vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive region. And it all starts with creating connections that count.  Some of the leading requires that we challenge ourselves, embrace new ideas, course correct, and sometimes we need to outright change.

You can watch the entire interview here.

The week, amidst all going on in your life, don’t miss Wild vs Blues on Tuesday and Thursday this week. Our team is SHOWING UP, and the series has been terrific. Be sure to show the home team some love…

See you in the trenches.
B​

• The need for COVID-19 testing in Minnesota has shifted with the pandemic: anyone who wants a test can get one, but the purpose and value is different after two years of the pandemic. And, yes, some free state testing sites will remain open through the summer at least.
• FDA limits use of Johnson & Johnson Covid vaccine. According to the FDA, this is due to the risk of blood clots.

• According to Morning Consult, U.S. consumers are increasingly concerned about inflation as supply pressures persist. In their recent report, U.S. Supply Chains & Inflation, we see that prices have already jumped 8.5% year over year in March, and future inflation expectations continue to trend higher.
• May economic outlook: cloudy conditions ahead. Consumer confidence slid further last month, while inflation and softened global demand still loom as massive risks to the U.S. economy. Check out the full report here (registration required): Economic Uncertainty Prevails In May: May 2022 U.S. Economic Outlook.
• The Federal Reserve raises interest rates by 50 basis points (1/2 of 1%), the largest increase since May of 2000, to fight inflation.
• President Joe Biden doesn't have the legal authority to cancel student loan debt on a wide scale through executive action, according to a legal analysis written by Charlie Rose, who served as the top lawyer in the Education Department under President Barack Obama from 2009 to 2011. In a memo seen by The Wall Street Journal that was written for his law firm, Hogan Marren Babbo & Rose, Ltd., Rose said that such a move by the president could prompt litigation from loan servicing companies and investors in student loan-backed securities. (The Wall Street Journal).

We are looking for a Vice President of Public Affairs and Public Affairs Specialist. Take a look and send good candidates our way!

State:

• The House, Senate, and the Governor came to an agreement last week and passed a bill refilling the Unemployment Insurance trust fund, eliminating the need for tax increases on businesses all over the state. In order to get all parties to agree, the UI fix had to be paired with essential worker bonuses in the same bill. Some lawmakers pointed out that making sure that our unemployment insurance trust fund is solvent IS a benefit to workers. At best, this bill served to hold businesses harmless, for a situation that they did not cause, and should not have to be forced to shoulder the burden.

• The legislature now has three weeks to finish the remainder of its work to find agreement on tax policy, spending initiatives, and a bonding bill.
• Prosecuting violent crime in the twin cities is a new focus of Minnesota's U.S. Attorney.

 
Regional:

• SPPD: Jeremy Ellison has been appointed as Interim Chief of Police for the Saint Paul Police Department. At the May 4 St. Paul City Council meeting, the City established a “Qualifications and Examining Committee” for the position of Police Chief. Follow the link to see the updated Committee Roster. Final adoption of the ordinance will be at May 11 CC meeting
• City of St. Paul:
  • Rent control went into effect in St. Paul on Sunday, May 1. Find the final rules, definitions, and process overview here. The Chamber is continuing to monitor the Mayor's stakeholder group, and will share the report when it is published this summer.
  • The City outlined in detail how they plan to spend their ARPA dollars on pg. 34 of the 2022 Adopted Budget.
  • Not long ago, the city of St. Paul opened a grant application process for tourism-related businesses that had been hard hit by a loss of foot traffic during the pandemic Seven applicants applied for a share of the $4.5 million in relief dollars, which stem from the federal American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA. On Wednesday, the St. Paul City Council approved varying levels of grant funding for all seven applicants.
  • A Ramsey County judge says St. Paul has been billing street assessments incorrectly, creating an $18M hole in the budget.
• Washington County:  
  • Washington County, led by its County Board and Public Health & Environment Department, played a key role in the response to the COVID-19 global pandemic. The county took a number of actions to address community needs early in the pandemic, and has used federal assistance through the Coronavirus Relief Act (CARES) and American Rescue Plan (ARPA) to support its businesses and residents. This document highlights and provides a summary of those activities.  
  • The Washington County Board of Commissioners agreed to amend the county’s American Rescue Plan Act April 19, to allow for programs for employment training and transitional housing. 
• The Met Council and Ramsey County are looking at options, based on White Bear Lake city council's narrow passage of an anti-Purple Line resolution.
  
  

Read more updates in our weekly Chamber Advocacy Update.

• ​​SBA’s Emerging Leaders Program:  T.H.R.I.V.E. Working to help small businesses to accelerate growth. Highlights include business coaching, training, mentoring, accountability.  Second Stage Growth Program is coming up, May 18.  Register here.

• We are in the middle of the Great Reshuffle.  One or more of you might be a new CEO.  Exciting, yes, but there’s also a lot to learn. Learn the 7 roles of a new CEO and how to use those roles to connect with workers, transform your company and create long-lasting change.

• More cities adopt sustainable building policies. The Center for Energy and Environment released an updated report in February that said eight cities have sustainable building policies: Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth, Maplewood, Northfield, Rochester, St. Louis Park and Edina.
• Black professionals have lacked a peer network in the Twin Cities. These leaders are building some.
• Meeting the Moment: How MSP can frow an economy that works for all. And check out the work of GroundBreak Coalition and their event coming up this week.​

• Demand is strong for apartments through Q1. Last year saw record absorption, a trend that is continuing into the early part of this year, according to an apartment trend report published by Marquette Advisors last week.
• Demand for air travel is surging. Here’s how flights have recovered at MSP International Airport.
• On Wednesday, DEED’s Minnesota Business Vitality Council (MBVC) working group released a final report and recommendations to support the creation and sustainability of child care businesses. Here is a link to their press release for more information.
• Just Sold: Produce wholesaler buys St. Paul warehouse.  Russ Davis Wholesale bought the Hamms Brewing “Stockhouse No 3” bldg on Rice St, that had been brought back to life in 2012 with Urban Organics.