June 14 - DEED Road Show

ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Development (DEED) is planning visits to 11 Minnesota communities during the agency’s annual summer road show starting later this month.

This year’s theme is “New Tools for New Times,” featuring presentations by DEED Commissioner Dan McElroy and other agency officials about new initiatives designed to encourage economic development in the state. The commissioner will also discuss the state of the economy and give an overview of the 2010 legislative session.

Representatives from DEED’s regional and development partners have been invited to present updates on their initiatives as well.

“The road show will be an opportunity to share important details about new and existing DEED programs with our partners around the state,” said DEED Commissioner Dan McElroy. “Just as importantly, we’ll have a chance to hear what people are thinking.”

Key measures that were approved during the session include the Angel Investor Tax Credit. The initiative is expected to encourage job creation in Minnesota by giving tax incentives to investors or funds that put money into startup businesses focused on high technology or new proprietary technology.

The Research and Development Tax Credit, Local Energy Improvement Financing Program, Minnesota Science and Technology Authority Act and a tax credit for rehabilitating historic structures are among other economic development measures that won approval during the session.

The three-hour sessions are planned for Rochester, Fairmont, Marshall, Little Falls, Hutchinson, Pine City, Brooklyn Park, Fergus Falls, Hibbing, Bemidji and Thief River Falls. The events will include time for questions and answers.

Local officials, economic and workforce development leaders, educators, business leaders, legislators and the media are encouraged to attend. Registration will begin 30 minutes before each event.

People who plan to attend are encouraged to register online in advance. Go to www.PositivelyMinnesota.com and select calendar of events.

DEED is the state’s principal economic development agency, promoting business recruitment, expansion and retention, workforce development, international trade and community development. For more details about the agency and our services, visit us at www.PositivelyMinnesota.com. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/PositivelyMN.

Following is the 2010 Summer Road Show schedule:

Rochester
Tuesday, June 22
8 to 11:30 a.m.
Rochester Community and Technical College
Heintz Center
Room HB 113
1926 Collegeview Road SE

Fairmont
Tuesday, June 22
2 to 5:30 p.m.
Southern Minnesota Educational Campus
Room 012
115 S. Park St.

Marshall
Tuesday, June 29
1 to 4:30 p.m.
Southwest Minnesota State University
Room CH201
1501 State St.

Little Falls
Tuesday, July 13
1 to 4:30 p.m.
Initiative Foundation
405 First St. SE

Hutchinson
Tuesday, July 20
8:30 a.m. to noon
Hutchinson Event Center
1005 Highway 15 S., Plaza 15

Pine City
Wednesday, July 21
8:30 a.m. to noon
Pine Tech Community College
900 Fourth St. SE

Brooklyn Park
Monday, July 26
1 to 4:30 p.m.
North Hennepin Community College
Science Center
Room 125
7411 85^th Ave. N.

Fergus Falls
Tuesday, July 27
1 to 4:30 p.m.
Minnesota State Community and Technical College - Fergus Falls
Legacy Hall
1414 College Way

Hibbing
Wednesday, Aug. 4
1 to 4:30 p.m.
Hibbing Community College
1515 E. 25^th St.

Bemidji
Thursday, Aug. 5
8:30 a.m. to noon
Bemidji State University
American Indian Resource Center
1500 Birchmont Drive NE

Thief River Falls
Wednesday, Aug. 18
8:30 to noon
Northland Community and Technical College
1101 Highway 1 E.

Upon request, the information in this news release is available in an alternative format such as Braille, large print, audiotape or computer disk.

Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
Communications Office
Phone 651/259-7161 or 1-800-657-3858 ∙ TTY 1-800-657-3973
www.PositivelyMinnesota.com