Minnsights Blog

We had another busy week, but we're not going to talk about the week. We're going to talk about our relationship between Minnesota and our friends to the north in Canada. I am so thrilled to have with me today, Beth Richardson, who is the Consul General of Canada in Minneapolis, and they have an office right here in Minneapolis. Beth is here to share a little bit about the work of the Consul General, her experience there, and what that means to Minnesota and, most importantly, to the business community.

Mall of America®, a member of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, is one of the most iconic destinations in the state. With over 32 million annual visitors and nearly $2 billion in economic impact in Minnesota each year, its influence reaches far beyond retail. Sustainability is a top priority from the large team who helps operate the facility. From waste and water to energy and tenant engagement, staff continuously audit performance and identify opportunities for improvement.

This year, the Legislature passed the most sweeping paid leave mandates on business in state history. Despite more than 80% of Minnesota members offering leave to their employees, the state now mandates all employers to grant employees sick, safe and paid time off equaling nearly 40% of a work year.

I’m coming to you this week from Washington, D.C., where we’ve been hosting our annual D.C. Fly-In. We’ve had a great group – more than 60 business leaders from Minnesota – joining us for meetings with the Environmental Protection Agency, Small Business Administration and our congressional delegation. It’s a chance to elevate Minnesota’s business priorities on the national stage.

Small businesses are a critical driver of Minnesota’s economy. The state has over 500,000 small businesses that together employ over 1.3 million Minnesotans.