Every home in America needs water. Plumbing needs pipes. And one company has a lock on about one-third of the market for plastic pipes in those homes: Apple Valley-based Uponor North America. Helped along with more than $1.74 million in grants and forgivable loans from DEED, the Finland-based company has expanded its Apple Valley operations 10 times since it opened there in 1990.
No matter your political leanings and stance on immigration, Minnesotans are going to be hit smack-dab with the reality of a workforce shortage as baby boomers retire and the economy continues rebounding. And as a recent report by DEED points out, immigrants are going to be needed to fill those jobs.
Minnesota companies exported $5.3 billion worth of agricultural, mining and manufactured products in the fourth quarter of 2017, a 6 percent increase from the same period a year earlier. For the year, Minnesota exports increased almost 8 percent from 2016 to $20.6 billion, while U.S. exports grew almost 7 percent.
The Minnesota Public Facilities Authority approved grants and loans totaling more than $35.5 million for sewer and water projects in three west central Minnesota cities. Funding was allocated for projects in Detroit Lakes, Osakis and Wheaton.
Four southern Minnesota cities were approved for more than $12 million in grants and loans from the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (PFA) for projects that will improve wastewater and drinking water facilities. The PFA awarded funding to Blue Earth, Kasson, Northrop and Welcome.
Recent Blog Posts
This is national Women in Construction Week, which was created to raise awareness of the opportunities and growing role for women in the industry. Many events are planned in Minnesota this week. Anyone interested in learning more about the construction industry is welcome to attend. Go to MinnesotaWorks.net for a list of free activities.
Did You Know?
Minnesota was second in U.S. News & World Report's rankings of the best states. The news magazine used more than 75 metrics in eight categories to compile the list. Minnesota was especially strong in quality of life (second), opportunity (third), infrastructure (sixth) and health care (seventh). Three other Midwestern states were in the top 10, with Iowa finishing first, North Dakota fourth and Nebraska seventh.
Every home in America needs water. Plumbing needs pipes. And one company has a lock on about one-third of the market for plastic pipes in those homes: Apple Valley-based Uponor North America. Helped along with more than $1.74 million in grants and forgivable loans from DEED, the Finland-based company has expanded its Apple Valley operations 10 times since it opened there in 1990. 
This is national Women in Construction Week, which was created to raise awareness of the opportunities and growing role for women in the industry. Many events are planned in Minnesota this week. Anyone interested in learning more about the construction industry is welcome to attend. Go to 
Minnesota was second in 