On Thursday, October 15, the Legislature passed a bill to conform to section 179 expensing effective for tax year 2020 providing $208 million in tax relief over next three years.

We are now just under a month from Election Day. While what’s at stake at the top of the ticket is clear and engagement at the presidential level is high, that’s not always the case for Minnesota’s legislative races. Yet, these races have significant implications for the future of our state. 

We are now less than a month from Election Day. While what’s at stake at the top of the ticket is clear and engagement at the presidential level is high, that’s not always the case for Minnesota’s legislative and local races. Yet, these races have significant implications for the future of our state.

Chambers of commerce are known for connecting the business community – at every level – throughout the state. Local chambers and the Minnesota Chamber host events with high-level speakers, important and timely topics, and the opportunity to grow your businesses by getting to know each other. 

Energy is increasingly a major operating expense at all types and sizes of businesses. Almost any worksite has plenty of easy changes to conserve energy and save money, such as regulating heating and cooling, tuning up existing systems, or reducing heat loss. Recently, the Minnesota Chamber's Energy Smart worked with Lupulin Brewing in Big Lake to receive grants and rebates to create thousands of dollars in annual energy savings. 

Minnesota’s economic recovery forged ahead in July but at a slowing pace. This is a step in the right direction, but we’d like to see movement towards recovery.

It’s hard to put into words the impact that COVID-19 has had on all of our lives. We’re all feeling the sting, as employers, employees, parents to young children, children to older citizens and as members of our communities. 

It’s hard to tell where we are in the COVID-19 journey. Four months after the first case in Minnesota, the health risks continue, but businesses have endured state-mandated closures, decreases in consumer demand, supply chain disruptions and staffing challenges.

The lag in standard economic data collected by state and federal agencies typically requires us to view the economy through the rearview mirror.

Minnesota is at a critical point in our shared effort to manage COVID-19 and bring forth a recovery of our state’s economy. As many states experience upticks in COVID-19 cases, it is important that Minnesota businesses and citizens understand and put in practice effective health and safety precautions. We’ve all sacrificed a lot in the last few months to prevent dire health consequences from COVID-19. And now our economy is opening up again, mitigating long-term economic devastation in our state.