Login
Alexandria Lakes Are Chamber of Commerce
  • ABOUT US
    • The Chamber and Visitor & Resource Center
    • Our Team
    • Our Volunteers
  • Our Community
    • Visit Us
    • Make Alex Home
    • Do Business Local >
      • Chamber Bucks
      • Pride of the Lakes
    • Jobs
    • History
  • Programs
    • Chamber Programs
    • Chamber Events Calendar
    • Past Event Resources
  • Members
    • Member Directory
    • Member Login
    • Join Us!
  • In the Know
    • Chamber App
    • Email Sign Up
    • Blog
    • Business Resources
  • Young Professionals
    • About AAYP
    • AAYP Events
    • AAYP Newsletter
    • Join Us!
  • Community Calendar

Read this year's business benchmarks report!

1/3/2023

 
Doug Loon, President, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
​This year’s Business Benchmarks (which can be accessed online at mnchamber.com/2023-business-benchmarks-report) goes beyond the analysis of where Minnesota stands in economic categories. This year, we compare Minnesota to other states that are outpacing us in these categories. What are the trends that sets them apart? What intentional steps are they taking to help their economies grow?

Colorado, Indiana, North Carolina, Tennessee and Utah have all seen economic improvements in several categories. They have similarities to Minnesota in the size of their economy, industry strengths, populations, and natural and cultural amenities. Each of them has a story to tell, in making their state more affordable, improving their workforce, and becoming more competitive overall.

We also examined neighboring states Wisconsin, Iowa and South Dakota (North Dakota’s recent history with the oil industry offers a less comparable analysis). Minnesota employers compete with the economic advantages enjoyed in these states every day. When considerations about growth or expansion are in play, businesses recognize Minnesota’s quality workforce, but may choose a neighboring state because they offer a quality workforce and are more affordable.

There is no silver bullet for economic development. The growth of any state’s economy depends on a complicated and diverse set of conditions, and it’s the cumulative impact that decides whether an economy succeeds or lags behind its competition.

But singular decisions from business leaders and policymakers can make a huge impact on whether Minnesota is an attractive and affordable place to live, work and grow a business. We are providing this deeper comparative analysis to help understand the formula that goes into it.

Make no mistake - Minnesota is an exceptional place to live and raise a family, and start and grow a business. But the data tell us that the state is not living up to its economic potential. Understanding our competitive strengths and weaknesses can determine what is needed to regain our competitive edge.

We urge business and policy leaders alike to read this report and support policies and private sector-led efforts to get Minnesota growing again.

Comments are closed.

    Archives

    April 2025
    October 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018

    Categories

    All
    Blog Post
    Spotlight Videos
    Testimonial

    RSS Feed

Copyright Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce.  All Rights Reserved.
206 Broadway St.  Alexandria, MN 56308
320-763-3161 
[email protected]

Refund & Privacy Policy
Accessibility
Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce BBB Business Review
Pride of the Lakes Logo
Picture
  • ABOUT US
    • The Chamber and Visitor & Resource Center
    • Our Team
    • Our Volunteers
  • Our Community
    • Visit Us
    • Make Alex Home
    • Do Business Local >
      • Chamber Bucks
      • Pride of the Lakes
    • Jobs
    • History
  • Programs
    • Chamber Programs
    • Chamber Events Calendar
    • Past Event Resources
  • Members
    • Member Directory
    • Member Login
    • Join Us!
  • In the Know
    • Chamber App
    • Email Sign Up
    • Blog
    • Business Resources
  • Young Professionals
    • About AAYP
    • AAYP Events
    • AAYP Newsletter
    • Join Us!
  • Community Calendar