It has been a challenging week for all Minnesotans as COVID-19 cases surge and new state restrictions mean continued difficulty for so many businesses already battling survival. This week we decided to do a roundup of five things to know as we think about the wellbeing of our residents and the health of our regional economy at this difficult time.

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) awarded its bio-industrial manufacturing institute to the University of Minnesota. This new national hub of advanced, sustainable manufacturing technology will be based on the Saint Paul campus, with satellite offices in Berkeley, CA, and Cambridge, MA, and operations in a total of 31 different states. The $80.7 million investment from the DOD will be matched by more than $180 million in non-federal investments. GREATER MSP plans to support the University in building an ecosystem of innovation around the new institute and transforming the institute into an engine of long-term economic growth and sustainable solutions.

Peter speaks with Tyler Lorenzen, CEO of PURIS, the largest pea-protein producer in the U.S. and a leader in the global plant-based food movement. In their discussion, Tyler shares how PURIS is leading our food systems into the future and why MSP is such a solid launchpad for successful food and agriculture innovators like PURIS.

The Greater MSP region continues to see business investment announcements and growth opportunities despite the COVID19 pandemic.  The region experienced a pause in Q2 of 2020 with stay-at-home orders and travel restrictions slowing the pace of investment decisions by employers. Moving out of Q2 the pause was lifted as a number of companies have made announcements for growth in the Greater MSP region.

Friday, October 16 marked the launch of the MBOLD initiative within the GREATER MSP Partnership. MBOLD mobilizes Minnesota’s globally leading concentration of food and agriculture leadership to develop practical solutions to global challenges facing the food and ag sector.

IEDC's Excellence in Economic Development Awards recognize the world's best economic development programs and partnerships, marketing materials, and the year's most influential leaders. GREATER MSP won two awards: one for its website and another for the BE MSP Workplace Toolkit created by Make It. MSP. The honor was presented today at an awards ceremony during the IEDC Annual Conference.

Unlike the Great Recession when job losses predominately impacted male-dominated industries like construction and manufacturing, women are experiencing significantly higher job losses than men during the current recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. For months, the GREATER MSP intel team has been tracking the economic and social effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our region, with a particular focus on the disparities between populations. This week, the intel team is focused on the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on working women, and what this means for our regional economy.

This week Peter speaks with Allie Kaplan, Editor-in-Chief of Twin Cities Business about findings from a new survey collaboration between Twin Cities Business and GREATER MSP. We wanted to know how the pressures of working during the pandemic were affecting women. Women participate in our region’s economy at a higher rate than any of the 11 U.S. peer regions we benchmark, which means supporting the success of working women is critical to our economic competitiveness.

Adair Mosley, President and CEO of Pillsbury United Communities, says the time for tangible results and fearless leadership is now. This week, Peter speaks with Adair to learn about the new Justice Built Communities effort from Pillsbury United Communities, which launched a new community development corporation to buy & hold land, develop new housing and businesses and build long-term wealth in community, for community. This is a bold solution that could deliver transformational change.

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) announces that GREATER MSP has once again been recognized as one of 69 economic development organizations accredited by IEDC as an Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO). “GREATER MSP displays the professionalism, commitment, and technical expertise that is deserving of this honor”, said IEDC President and CEO Jeff Finkle.