New data show improvements in reducing job vacancy rates in Minnesota but researchers said the numbers are still too stubbornly high in most rural regions.
The Center for Rural Policy and Development released an analysis of state survey data on filling the many job openings around Minnesota. It showed rates have climbed down from their pandemic peak but leaving out the Twin Cities and southeast region, they are still above what's considered healthy levels.
Kelly Asche, senior researcher at the center, said smaller towns and cities have jobs to fill but the talent is not lining up for them.
"In the 1970s and '80s, we were all worried about how do we get more jobs to our rural areas 'cause we had people that were unemployed," Asche recounted. "Now, we have so many jobs and we just don't have the people to fill those jobs. And so, it's a very different world."
The center said it is a glaring issue in southwestern Minnesota, which has about 90% more openings than it did two decades ago but unlike most other regions, it is seeing negative movement in hiring.
Asche explained if the problems persist, companies will leave, making it even harder for communities to provide services for their aging populations.
As older residents leave the workforce, Asche noted municipal leaders are having different conversations these days about attracting younger workers and it is not just about building a new industrial park.
"How do we provide more housing? How do we provide child care?" Asche outlined. "Things that make people want to move to these areas, such as parks and natural amenities."
Asche acknowledged an awareness gap about job opportunities in rural areas offering strong wages. He pointed out residents might think they have to move to the Twin Cities or attend school out-of-state to launch a career. However, their local technical college might offer courses to train them for a job paying more than minimum wage. The findings suggested a job vacancy rate of around 4% is manageable but four of Minnesota's six geographic regions are at 5% or higher.
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Contributed/Erin HaefeleWhen the garden or farmers market gives you everything at once, the best way to handle it is to return to the fundamentals: roast, grill, bake, pickle, can, dry, freeze and sauté. These aren’t just methods, they’re survival tools during harvest season. Especially grilling. Because it’s summer. And everything tastes better with a little char and a lot of butter.This week, Amy and Heidi talked to Erin Haefele of Green Scene in Walker, Minnesota, "a charming food haven nestled in the heart of rural northern Minnesota where small-town warmth meets big-city sophistication." Erin inspires us with simple preparations to deliciously fresh garden ingredients. And we hear from Amy's friend Beth Friedrichson from Wisconsin, who gushes about dilly beans and life on the farm with chickens and alpacas.Lots of folks phoned in to talk about their harvests, whether it was peonies in Stillwater, garlic near Detroit Lakes, urban front yard CSAs in Minneapolis, potato varieties in Deer River or stuffed grape leaves in Chicago, you had a story to tell. Share yours! This week's community recipe to cook along with us is Onion Pie: kaxe.org/community-recipe-onion-pie-ham-radio-amy-thielen. Give it a try and send us your reactions and photos at comments@kaxe.org!Ham Radio Features original licensed music — "You Know How I Like It" by Jeremy Messersmith.Made possible by the Minnesota Arts & Culture Heritage Fund. Support KAXE by becoming a member today: https://donate.nprstations.org/kaxe/donate -
Contributed/Frazee Hornet Baseball via FacebookRain made for an interesting end to the baseball season for many Class A teams Thursday. Grand Rapids lost in the 3A consolation championship. -
Chelsey Perkins/KAXEThree of the four Republicans voted in favor of rescinding funding already allocated for public media organizations through the CPB and four Democrats voted against. -
Emily John PhotographyKAXE responds to the House vote to rescind public media funding and urges the Senate to protect trusted local news, emergency alerts and community programming in Northern Minnesota.
