Minnesota Chamber of Commerce

Via @PioneerPress: Nominations are open: What is the coolest thing made in Minnesota? twincities.com/2026/07/08/nom…

NEW: The Minnesota Chamber and @BMO_US are again searching for The Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota! CoolestThingMN.com Does your company make something cool that showcases our state's innovation? Learn more and submit your product starting TODAY!

Happy Independence Day to all and happy 250th birthday to the United States of America! Today is an opportunity to reflect on 250 years of American opportunity, freedom and liberty that has fueled the growth and prosperity in our nation.

Via @sctimes: Minnesotans say they are paying more in taxes and getting less sctimes.com/story/news/loc…

Must-read article from @BusinessMN on the Minnesota Chamber Foundation's new report; Minnesota’s economic imperative: A blueprint for growth finance-commerce.com/2026/05/minnes… We know that growing the economy creates more opportunity and prosperity for every Minnesotan. This report lays out a blueprint to focus attention and action around three key imperatives for growth in the state’s economy. This is a starting point intended to spur conversation, ideas and action in the months and years to come.

Lead the Midwest in talent attraction and retention: Building an attraction strategy around the drivers of migration, including housing, costs, education and access to opportunity. • Expand housing supply to support population growth. • Evaluate tax policy’s impact on migration. • Leverage higher education to attract and retain young talent. • Strengthen legal immigration pathways and integration efforts. mnchamber.com/blueprint

Upskill Minnesota’s workforce: Revitalizing how people gain the education, training and experience needed to drive prosperity and productivity. • Shift to an employer-centered workforce system focused on talent development. • Strengthen business-education partnerships. mnchamber.com/blueprint

NEW: The Minnesota Chamber Foundation today released Minnesota’s economic imperative: A blueprint for growth, a new report outlining strategies to strengthen the state’s economy and expand opportunity and prosperity across the state for future generations. mnchamber.com/blueprint

Happy National #SmallBusinessWeek! Did you know? 7,946 identified Minnesota firms exported goods worth $23.7 billion in 2023? 85% of Minnesota exporters were small businesses. Exports by small firms totaled $6.1 billion!

NEW: The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce released today results of a statewide poll showing growing financial stress among Minnesotans, increasing pessimism about the state’s economy and rising concern that taxpayers are not getting the same value for what they pay in state taxes and costs that they have in recent years. mnchamber.com/blog/poll-minn… Follow along for key takeaways.

Despite these economic concerns, Minnesotans continue to see opportunities in the state and express strong confidence in the private sector to lead future growth. • A strong majority of Minnesotans – 73% – say Minnesota is a good place to work. • 63% have confidence in small businesses to do what is best for the state’s economy, with 51% saying they have confidence in business leaders across the state. mnchamber.com/blog/poll-minn…

Minnesotans are looking to state leaders to address affordability challenges, reduce costs and improve accountability in how public funds are managed. Concerns about high state taxes and confidence in government handling of the economy remain significant. • 67% say that state taxes are too high. • 51% say increasing affordability should be the top priority for elected officials, followed by 44% who say reducing taxes. • They name misuse or management of state funds as the biggest issue facing Minnesota. mnchamber.com/blog/poll-minn…

Happy National #SmallBusinessWeek! Did you know: 99.5% of businesses in Minnesota are small organizations, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration? Those businesses employ 45.8% of all employees statewide. While small individually, these businesses have a massive impact.

We know from the 2026 Business Benchmarks that Minnesota ranks 39th in job growth. While state-level factors continue to prohibit job growth, employers like Traci Tapani of Wyoming Machine Inc. are among those trying to reverse that trend by offering high wages, tailored benefits and a work/life balance for their valued employees. Hear from Traci in this segment from Minnesota Live: kstp.com/special-covera…

When you think of Women in Business Minnesota events, THIS is what you should think of. Let’s run through yesterday’s incredible event. Our attendees: • Heard from inspiring, dynamic speakers like Samantha Metcalf of @CLAconnect and Wendy Charon Unglaub of @GeneralMills • Enjoyed the beautiful CLA Connection Center space (patio weather, anyone?) • Spent an afternoon networking with professionals from different industries around the state Many thanks to CLA for hosting the event and to our attendees for their high-level engagement, energy and discussions. But if you missed this event, don’t worry, we’re happy to announce the 2026 Women in Business Minnesota Conference: POWER PLAY on July 22! Join us at Target Field to hear from some of the leading women voices in Minnesota sports! member.mnchamber.com/events/2026-Wo…

The clock is ticking on the 2026 #mnleg session, but there's still time to make meaningful changes that benefit the state's economy. From today's @duluthnews editorial: Minnesota's paid-leave law needs immediate fixes duluthnewstribune.com/opinion/editor…