News

SBA News Release, 10/1/24

MN Paid Leave Wage Report Due Oct 31, 2024

Minnesota Paid Leave Wage Reports Due October 31, 2024  Minnesota employers of all sizes will be required to submit their first employee wage reports to the state by October 31, 2024, as part of their obligations under the state’s Paid Leave law. The reports must include each employee’s name, Social Security number, hours worked, and wages paid for the period of July 1, 2024, through September 30, 2024. Employers will need to submit this information quarterly through the state’s Unemployment Insurance

Manufacturing employment is growing in Northeast MN

"Manufacturing employment is growing in Northeast Minnesota."  This is a statement that has not been uttered often over the last couple of decades.  However, after a decade of significant decline, followed by a decade of stagnation, employment has now grown three consecutive years, building upon the modest growth that was perforated by the Pandemic Rescession.  As a result, Manufacturing employment is at the highest it has been since before the Great Recession. To read more:Northeast Region / Minnesota

Halloween shoppers to start purchasing before October

Nearly half of Halloween shoppers to start purchasing before October    From the National Retail Federation, September 19, 2024  Early Halloween shopping is on the rise, with 47% of survey participants beginning their shopping before October, according to the National Retail Federation’s annual survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics. The figure is up from 37% five years ago and compares with just 32% in 2014. Total Halloween spending is expected to reach $11.6 billion, after last year’s

The 10 busiest shopping days of the 2024 holiday season

The 10 busiest shopping days of the 2024 holiday season    From Chain Store Age, Marianne Wilson, September 17, 2024  With a shorter holiday shopping season this year due to a late Thanksgiving, retailers need to be ready for eight key dates in December — and two in November.  Black Friday, Nov. 29, once again tops Sensormatic Solutions’ forecast of the top busiest shopping days of the 2024 holiday season which, due to the late Thanksgiving, has only 26 days between the holiday and Christmas Day

Governor Walz Encourages Minnesotans Impacted by Flooding to Apply for Assistance

Governor Walz is encouraging Minnesotans impacted by this summer’s severe flooding to apply for federal assistance. Homeowners and renters in 19 counties affected by this summer’s severe flooding have until September 27 to apply for federal disaster assistance.“Countless Minnesotans experienced flood damage to their homes this summer – not just losing furniture and belongings, but also critical infrastructure including water heaters and furnaces. Help is available, and I encourage all Minnesotans in the

News Release: City of Hibbing’s plan to invest in our first responders and public safety services 9/9/2024

The City of Hibbing serves as a regional public safety hub. As our residents, community, and region rely on these essential public services, it is important to continue investing in our fire and police departments. The recommended square footage to effectively house the Hibbing Police Department and Hibbing Fire Department in the same building is roughly 65,000 sq ft. The below conceptual rendering shares one of the potential layout options on about 63,000 sq ft. If this design is chosen, the new

Labor Law Changes you need to know

Labor law changes you need to know    From the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, July 9, 2024  Employers and workers should know about updates to labor laws that might affect your workplace, including law changes that go into effect Aug. 1. Read our overview below.   Personnel records. As of July 1, 2024, all workers in Minnesota can request to see their personnel or work records every six months and challenge any information they disagree with. Employers must tell new hires about