Economy

The sale of ALLETE closed Dec. 15, 2025. The Public Utilities Commission approved the controversial move in October.

Community members will share their stories about the affordability of child care and health care during the forum at the Beltrami Electric Cooperative.

The Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce hosted an official from the Small Business Administration to discuss financing the long recovery from the June 21, 2025, storms.

The USDA, which oversees the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, has given notice to states that funding will run out to pay November's benefits if the federal shutdown continues.

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission unanimously approved the sale to BlackRock-owned Global Infrastructure Partners and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board on Oct. 3, 2025.

A third-party study calculated Essentia's impact in the Brainerd lakes area and the greater Iron Range.

Minnesota's wild rice sulfate standard has been in place since the 1970s but has been lightly enforced. With that changing, Rangers are worried about the potential economic consequences.

A bonus gift card program from the Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce aims to generate $1 million in economic activity as the community continues to rebuild after the June 21 windstorm.

Manufacturers are pushing for the renewal of funding for a program that helps small to mid-size companies.

Some areas of Minnesota are seeing lower job vacancy rates, but the latest numbers indicate rural regions have their work cut out for them in attracting workers.