Happy Thanksgiving!

The bitterly cold Minnesota winter is here, but with it comes the great day of Thanksgiving and the start of the holiday season. I hope you and yours are healthy, happy, and have a lot to be thankful for this year.

For those of you traveling, please be safe out there. We’re fortunate enough to not have severe winter weather here, but it’s still a busy travel period. I hope you get to spend some quality time with your family and friends over the holiday.

As we reflect on what we’re thankful for, I would also encourage you to — as you so often do — do what you can for the less fortunate among us. One way to help is to donate to the Eagan Resource Center, the largest food shelf in Dakota County. You can find more information on how to donate here. If you can, please give some help to those in need.

Finally, I’m thankful for my wonderful family and friends, and the great times spent with them.  Have a happy Thanksgiving!

Minnesota Business Expansions

According to a new report from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), 31 businesses announced expansion projects in Minnesota during the third quarter of 2013 and plan to create an estimated 1,500 new jobs statewide in coming years. During the first three quarters of 2013, businesses announced 112 expansion projects statewide. Those expansion projects will create an estimated 5,600 new jobs in Minnesota over the next two years. 

New investments in job-creation initiatives made during the 2013 legislative session have played an important role in incentivizing business expansions statewide. Several businesses received assistance from the Minnesota Investment Fund (MIF), which Gov. Mark Dayton and the Legislature expanded last session.

I heard loud and clear from you that jobs and the economy were a top priority and this session’s Jobs Bill reflected that. The Jobs bill included new money for DEED to help local communities bring in new business by providing grants and incentives for new jobs, increased funding for the Trade Office, which exists to help MN businesses increase their exports to foreign markets, and reduced the rate that employers pay on Unemployment Insurance taxes, helping employers save almost $350 million over the next two years.

One of the businesses that announced an expansion this year was Stream Global Services in Eagan. The company is continuing its hiring expansion that was announced last fall and is expected to add 75 jobs over the next two years.

Zep Vehicle Care in Eagan also announced an expansion. The company signed a lease for new office and research space in Eagan. Zep Vehicle Care develops chemical solutions for vehicle washing applications. They plan to add at least 20 new employees on site by the end of 2013.

We have more to do to help grow Minnesota’s middle class, but we’re continuing to make progress.

As always, feel free contact me with any questions, concerns, or ideas. You can reach me at 651-296-4128 or rep.laurie.halverson@house.mn.

Laurie Halverson

State Representative

District 51B