Special Reports Archives | Connect Business Magazine

Local Hemp Farmers Take the Lead

May 1, 2019April 26, 2019 Mike Lagerquist 0 Comments mankato, waseca

Matt Little has some definite plans for an uncertain industry. Along with partners Garth Carson, an entrepreneur and business owner, and Mike Drummer of Mankato, Little is creating a vertically integrated hemp business that strives to, as he puts it, “take our crop from seed to soil to products.” But with an industry that is fighting 80 years of a marijuana hangover, of sorts, they’re literally starting from the ground up. “Right now, if anybody tells you they have it figured out, they’re lying,” Little says.

Special Reports

Workforce Shortage Looms Large

November 1, 2018October 31, 2018 Lisa Cownie 0 Comments new ulm

New Ulm-based Big Ideas Hopes to Bridge the Gap The Big Ideas initiative in New Ulm actually started as a

Special Reports

Truman’s China House Cafe is a New Model for Collaborative Economic Development

September 4, 2018August 30, 2018 Lisa Cownie 0 Comments truman

The local café has been a staple of the small town landscape as far back as anyone can remember. But with all of the challenges facing small town rural America, keeping these institutions operating or finding people willing and able to invest in these businesses is becoming more and more difficult.

Special Reports

Taking Care of Business, To Take Care of People

July 2, 2018July 2, 2018 Lisa Cownie 0 Comments st. peter

The Greater St. Peter area receives an injection of $46 million dollars that will expand not only the hospital there, but the local economy as well. “Solid infrastructure and modern healthcare facilities play a key role in the economic sustainability of rural communities – attracting new businesses, retaining population and providing opportunities for future growth,” says Brad Finstad, State Director for USDA Rural Development.

Special Reports

Women Executives in Business (W.E.B.)

May 1, 2018May 1, 2018 Carlienne Frisch 0 Comments

A variety of business organizations and networks thrive in communities throughout south central Minnesota. One such organization, Women Executives in Business (W.E.B.), is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. W.E.B. is an area-wide networking and educational organization for women who are, or aspire to be, business owners, entrepreneurs, executives or managers.

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Waseca Tries to Rekindle Entrepreneurial Spirit of the Past

March 1, 2018March 28, 2018 Lisa Cownie 0 Comments waseca

Waseca city leaders are planning for the future, by studying the past. Waseca, like many rural cities, has had many notable entrepreneurs such as EF Johnson (EF Johnson Company), Bumps Brown (Brown Printing), and George Herter (Herter’s Outdoor Goods). As they grew their companies, they spawned many other ventures in Waseca many of which are still around.

Special Reports

Grassroots Housing Efforts in New Ulm

January 2, 2018December 26, 2017 Lisa Cownie 0 Comments

Over the past few years, community leaders in New Ulm began noticing a troubling trend; like many cities, New Ulm was seeing a steady erosion of affordable housing supply as properties that were originally developed using federal subsidies started being converted to market-rate housing.

Special Reports

Collaborations Key To Helping Our Business Communities

November 1, 2017October 26, 2017 Lisa Cownie 0 Comments

In this issue, I would like to highlight a trio of collaborations from throughout our region. These three stories highlight the importance of different groups coming together to solve a common problem and along the way enriching our communities.

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Racial Justice Training

September 1, 2017September 1, 2017 Lisa Cownie 0 Comments

When Kurt Brauman found out Walmart was transferring him to Mankato, Minnesota from Mount Pleasant, Iowa to work logistics at the new distribution center, well, he wasn’t sure what to expect. Mankato would be a community much bigger than where he came from.

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