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The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)

DEED provides an array of resources for Minnesota businesses.  The VHEDC is a proud conduit of those opportunities providing technical assistance to area businesses to leverage the many business support services of DEED.

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is the state’s principal economic development agency. DEED programs promote business recruitment, expansion, and retention; international trade; workforce development; and community development.

DEED Business Services

Starting a business in Minnesota is not a single decision but a series of them, each one an important step on the road to a successful launch. DEED is available to help you tackle the most common questions in the order you’re most likely to need answers.
Whether it’s to startup, operate or expand, at some stage most every business owner must find the money to make things happen. DEED can assist in locating business financing programs as well as guidance on financing your business.
Finding the right workers can be a job all its own. Need to fill an immediate opening? Planning future hires? DEED’s got tools and experts to help.
The Minnesota Trade Office helps turn opportunities into profits in foreign markets by providing the training and expertise that small and midsized companies need to export goods and services successfully worldwide.

Get Help From DEED Experts

DEED consultants have got you covered at most any stage with expert advice and analysis to help you avoid — or recover from — costly mistakes. Best of all, they can help you assess new opportunities to make your business grow.

  • Small Business Assistance Office

  • Small Business Development Centers
  • Minnesota Business First Stop
  • Location and Expansion Assistance
  • Workforce Evaluation & Hiring Assistance
  • Labor Market Data and Analysis
  • Exporting and Trade
  • Federal Funding for High Tech Companies
  • Office of Broadband Development
  • Minnesota Marketing Partnership

Minnesota Investment Fund

Available through the State of Minnesota, the Minnesota Investment Fund provides financing to help add new workers and retain high-quality jobs. The focus is on industrial, manufacturing, and technology-related industries to increase the local and state tax base and improve economic vitality statewide.

Funds are awarded to local units of government who provide loans to assist expanding businesses.

Projects must meet minimum criteria for private investment, number of jobs created or retained, and wages paid. At least 50 percent of total project costs must be privately financed through owner equity and other lending sources. There is a maximum of $500,000 per project.

Terms are up to 20 years for real estate and up to 10 years for machinery and equipment. Interest rates are negotiated.

Job Creation Fund

The Job Creation Fund provides financial incentives to new and expanding businesses that meet certain job creation and capital investment targets.

Companies deemed eligible to participate may receive up to $1 to $2 million for creating or retaining high paying jobs and for constructing or renovating facilities or making other property improvements.

Minnesota Job Skills Partnership

The Minnesota Jobs Skills Partnership (MJSP) Program provides training grants of up to $400,000 to educational institutions that partner with businesses to develop new-job training or retraining for existing employees.

Funds may be used for training-related costs such as curriculum development, instruction, training materials and supplies, training equipment, and instructor travel. A cash or in-kind contribution from the contributing business must match program funds on at least a one-to-one basis. More information is available from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

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Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development

Get the resources and assistance you need to grow your business in Minnesota.
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