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        <title>Most Current Releases</title>
        <link>http://www.positivelyminnesota.com/newsroom/press_releases/most_current_releases/most_current_releases.xml</link>
        <description><![CDATA[DEED Most Current Releases]]></description>
            
        
        

                
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                   <title><![CDATA[May 18 - TED Grants Awarded for 14 Minnesota Highway Projects]]></title>
                   <link>http://www.positivelyminnesota.com/Newsroom/Press_Releases/Most_Current_Releases/May_18_-_TED_Grants_Awarded_for_14_Minnesota_Highway_Projects.aspx</link>
                   <description><![CDATA[Fourteen highway improvement and infrastructure projects in Minnesota were approved for $25.5 million in funding under the Transportation Economic Development (TED) Program. Funding was awarded for projects in Windom, Mille Lacs County, International Falls, Rice County, Mankato, Delano, Ramsey County, Eden Prairie, Maplewood, St. Louis Park, Rochester, Benton County, Jackson and Minnetonka. TED, now in its second year, is part of a joint effort by DEED and MnDOT to improve transportation infrastructure, create jobs and encourage economic development in the state.

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                   <title><![CDATA[May 17 - DEED Awards Grants to Jobless Workers]]></title>
                   <link>http://www.positivelyminnesota.com/Newsroom/Press_Releases/Most_Current_Releases/May_17_-_DEED_Awards_Grants_to_Jobless_Workers.aspx</link>
                   <description><![CDATA[May 17 - DEED Awards Grants to Jobless Workers]]></description>
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                   <title><![CDATA[May 17 - Jobless Rate Drops to 5.6 Percent]]></title>
                   <link>http://www.positivelyminnesota.com/Newsroom/Press_Releases/Most_Current_Releases/May_17_-_Jobless_Rate_Drops_to_5.6_Percent.aspx</link>
                   <description><![CDATA[The state unemployment rate fell 0.2 percent in April to a seasonally adjusted 5.6 percent, according to figures released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The U.S. unemployment rate was 8.1 percent last month.]]></description>
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                   <title><![CDATA[May 10 - State Exports Set Record in 2011]]></title>
                   <link>http://www.positivelyminnesota.com/Newsroom/Press_Releases/Most_Current_Releases/May_10_-_State_Exports_Set_Record_in_2011.aspx</link>
                   <description><![CDATA[Minnesota exports of agricultural, mining and manufactured products reached a record $20.3 billion last year, beating the previous record of $19.2 billion in 2008.

Year-over-year, state exports climbed $1.4 billion from 2010, an increase of 7.3 percent. Manufactured products dominated exports by Minnesota companies last year, accounting for about 90 percent ($18.4 billion) of total sales.
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                   <title><![CDATA[May 3 - DEED Offers Guide on Technology Transactions]]></title>
                   <link>http://www.positivelyminnesota.com/Newsroom/Press_Releases/Most_Current_Releases/May_3_-_DEED_Offers_Guide_on_Technology_Transactions.aspx</link>
                   <description><![CDATA[DEED is offering a new guide for businesses and other organizations that are planning to buy or sell technology. “A Legal Guide to Technology Transactions” is written for entities that are in the process of buying new systems to run their financials, supply chain management, inventory control, human resources or other critical business functions.]]></description>
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                   <title><![CDATA[May 2 - Deadline Nears for Minnesota Cup Contest]]></title>
                   <link>http://www.positivelyminnesota.com/Newsroom/Press_Releases/Most_Current_Releases/May_2_-_Deadline_Nears_for_Minnesota_Cup_Contest.aspx</link>
                   <description><![CDATA[Minnesotans with new and innovative business ideas have about two weeks left to enter the Minnesota Cup for a chance to make their dreams of launching a business a reality. The Minnesota Cup is a statewide entrepreneurial competition designed to seek out, support and accelerate the development of Minnesota’s newest and most innovative business ideas. Minnesota residents have until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, May 18, to submit their breakthrough ideas for a chance to claim a share of the $200,000 in prize money.]]></description>
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                   <title><![CDATA[April 19 - State Jobless Rate at 5.8 Percent]]></title>
                   <link>http://www.positivelyminnesota.com/Newsroom/Press_Releases/Most_Current_Releases/April_19_-_State_Jobless_Rate_at_5.8_Percent.aspx</link>
                   <description><![CDATA[The state unemployment rate edged 0.1 percent higher in March to a seasonally adjusted 5.8 percent, according to figures released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The state remained well below the U.S. unemployment rate of 8.2 percent.]]></description>
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                   <title><![CDATA[Apr. 10 - DEED Awards Funding for Entrepreneurial Loans]]></title>
                   <link>http://www.positivelyminnesota.com/Newsroom/Press_Releases/Most_Current_Releases/Apr._10_-_DEED_Awards_Funding_for_Entrepreneurial_Loans.aspx</link>
                   <description><![CDATA[DEED has awarded $4.5 million under its Emerging Entrepreneurs Fund to support micro-enterprises and small businesses in the state. The money was awarded to 13 Minnesota nonprofit organizations, which will typically distribute loans to businesses with fewer than 50 workers. The majority of the businesses receiving loans through the program will be owned and operated by women or members of minority groups, or they will be located in areas identified by DEED as economically distressed.]]></description>
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                   <title><![CDATA[March 30 - DEED Awards Funding to Redevelop Blighted Sites]]></title>
                   <link>http://www.positivelyminnesota.com/Newsroom/Press_Releases/Most_Current_Releases/March_30_-_DEED_Awards_Funding_to_Redevelop_Blighted_Sites.aspx</link>
                   <description><![CDATA[The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has awarded $2.4 million in grants for 11 projects to help offset the costs of reclaiming and redeveloping blighted property. The cities of Barnesville, Clara City, Duluth, Hendricks, Hinckley, Minneapolis (three), Northfield, Ortonville and St. Paul received the grants under DEED’s Redevelopment Grant Program.]]></description>
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                   <title><![CDATA[March 22 - State Gains 6,200 Jobs in February]]></title>
                   <link>http://www.positivelyminnesota.com/Newsroom/Press_Releases/Most_Current_Releases/March_22_-_State_Gains_6,200_Jobs_in_February.aspx</link>
                   <description><![CDATA[Minnesota employers added 6,200 jobs in February, according to figures released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The state has added 32,300 jobs in the last three months and regained more than half of the 156,300 jobs that were lost during the recession.]]></description>
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                   <title><![CDATA[Mar. 21 - Grants Awarded for Youth Work Experience]]></title>
                   <link>http://www.positivelyminnesota.com/Newsroom/Press_Releases/Most_Current_Releases/Mar._21_-_Grants_Awarded_for_Youth_Work_Experience.aspx</link>
                   <description><![CDATA[Mar. 21 - Grants Awarded for Youth Work Experience]]></description>
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                   <title><![CDATA[Mar. 15 - Get Jobs Job Fair Set for March 29]]></title>
                   <link>http://www.positivelyminnesota.com/Newsroom/Press_Releases/Most_Current_Releases/Mar._15_-_Get_Jobs_Job_Fair_Set_for_March_29.aspx</link>
                   <description><![CDATA[Job seekers can meet potential employers, learn job-search strategies, and attend workshops and seminars during the annual Get Jobs Job Fair in Eagan on Thursday, March 29. The job fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Eagan Civic Arena, 3870 Pilot Knob Road. More than 60 exhibitors will participate, including businesses and organizations with job openings and educational institutions that offer training programs. 
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                   <title><![CDATA[Mar. 13 - U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement Enters Into Force]]></title>
                   <link>http://www.positivelyminnesota.com/Newsroom/Press_Releases/Most_Current_Releases/Mar._13_-_U.S.-Korea_Free_Trade_Agreement_Enters_Into_Force.aspx</link>
                   <description><![CDATA[A new trade agreement that goes into effect this week will increase trade opportunities for Minnesota companies that send exports to South Korea. Under the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement, nearly 80 percent of U.S. exports of consumer and industrial products to South Korea will become duty free, effective March 15. Nearly 95 percent of the products exchanged by the two countries will become duty free within five years, and most remaining tariffs will be eliminated within 10 years.
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                   <title><![CDATA[Mar. 9 - State Exports Set Fourth-Quarter Record]]></title>
                   <link>http://www.positivelyminnesota.com/Newsroom/Press_Releases/Most_Current_Releases/Mar._9_-_State_Exports_Set_Fourth-Quarter_Record.aspx</link>
                   <description><![CDATA[Minnesota companies exported $5.1 billion worth of manufactured, agricultural and mining products in the fourth quarter of 2011, a fourth-quarter record that was 1.4 percent higher than the same period a year earlier, according to figures released today by the DEED. Manufacturing dominated Minnesota exports during the quarter, accounting for $4.7 billion worth of sales, the eighth straight quarter of year-over-year increases in that sector.
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                   <title><![CDATA[Mar. 6 - DEED Awards Custom Roto Mold Training Grant]]></title>
                   <link>http://www.positivelyminnesota.com/Newsroom/Press_Releases/Most_Current_Releases/Mar._6_-_DEED_Awards_Custom_Roto_Mold_Training_Grant.aspx</link>
                   <description><![CDATA[Mar. 6 - DEED Awards Custom Roto Mold Training Grant]]></description>
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                   <title><![CDATA[Mar. 6 - DEED Awards RiteWay Manufacturing Training Grant]]></title>
                   <link>http://www.positivelyminnesota.com/Newsroom/Press_Releases/Most_Current_Releases/Mar._6_-_DEED_Awards_RiteWay_Manufacturing_Training_Grant.aspx</link>
                   <description><![CDATA[Mar. 6 - DEED Awards RiteWay Manufacturing Training Grant]]></description>
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                   <title><![CDATA[Mar. 1 - Unemployment Rate Drops to 5.6 Percent]]></title>
                   <link>http://www.positivelyminnesota.com/Newsroom/Press_Releases/Most_Current_Releases/Mar._1_-_Unemployment_Rate_Drops.aspx</link>
                   <description><![CDATA[The Minnesota unemployment rate fell 0.1 percent in January to a seasonally adjusted 5.6 percent, according to figures released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The state remained well below the U.S. unemployment rate of 8.3 percent.]]></description>
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                   <title><![CDATA[Feb. 28 - State Job Vacancies Up 47.6 Percent in Fourth Quarter]]></title>
                   <link>http://www.positivelyminnesota.com/Newsroom/Press_Releases/Most_Current_Releases/Feb._28_-_State_Job_Vacancies_Up_47.6_Percent_in_Fourth_Quarter.aspx</link>
                   <description><![CDATA[Job vacancies in Minnesota climbed 47.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared with the same period a year earlier, according to figures released today by DEED. Employers reported 49,900 openings during the quarter, compared with 33,800 openings one year earlier. The agency’s Job Vacancy Survey – conducted twice annually in the second and fourth quarters – also found that the state had 3.2 unemployed people for each vacancy during the quarter, compared with 5.8 unemployed people for each vacancy one year earlier. 
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                   <title><![CDATA[Feb. 9 - GWDC Recommendations Parallel Governor's Jobs Plan]]></title>
                   <link>http://www.positivelyminnesota.com/Newsroom/Press_Releases/Most_Current_Releases/Feb._9_-_GWDC_Recommendations_Parallel_Governor's_Jobs_Plan.aspx</link>
                   <description><![CDATA[The Governor’s Workforce Development Council (GWDC) has reaffirmed its commitment to a policy initiative that outlines a strategy for building a stronger state workforce. The group presented its reissued report for 2012, “All Hands on Deck: Fifteen Recommendations for Strengthening Minnesota’s Workforce,” to Gov. Mark Dayton, who attended the group’s quarterly meeting in Minneapolis this morning.]]></description>
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                   <title><![CDATA[Jan. 31 - Six Cities Receive Shovel Ready Certification]]></title>
                   <link>http://www.positivelyminnesota.com/Newsroom/Press_Releases/Most_Current_Releases/Jan._31_-_Six_Cities_Receive_Shovel_Ready_Certification.aspx</link>
                   <description><![CDATA[DEED has awarded Shovel Ready certifications to business park developments in Red Wing, Hutchinson, Grand Rapids, Fairmont, Isanti and Centerville. Shovel Ready certification means a city or developer has completed the planning, zoning, environmental studies, title work, public infrastructure and other pre-construction activities on a designated site. Shovel Ready sites are more attractive to companies that want to move quickly with plans to start up, relocate or expand their operations.
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                   <title><![CDATA[Jan. 31 - Nominations Being Accepted for Trade Awards]]></title>
                   <link>http://www.positivelyminnesota.com/Newsroom/Press_Releases/Most_Current_Releases/Jan._31_-_Nominations_Being_Accepted_for_Trade_Awards.aspx</link>
                   <description><![CDATA[The Minnesota Trade Office is accepting nominations for the 27th Annual Governor’s International Trade Awards, which honor Minnesota companies that have excelled in the international marketplace. Award recipients will be recognized by Gov. Mark Dayton at an awards luncheon in March. Awards will be given for export achievement in the manufacturing or service industries and the agricultural commodities or processed food industries. 
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                   <title><![CDATA[Jan. 27 - Applications Being Accepted for China Trade Mission]]></title>
                   <link>http://www.positivelyminnesota.com/Newsroom/Press_Releases/Most_Current_Releases/Jan._27_-_Applications_Being_Accepted_for_China_Trade_Mission.aspx</link>
                   <description><![CDATA[The Minnesota Trade Office (MTO) is accepting applications for a trade mission to China led by Gov. Mark Dayton on June 8-17. Delegates will travel with the governor to Shanghai, Beijing and Xian, meet with high ranking business leaders and government officials, attend networking events, and explore trade and investment opportunities.]]></description>
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                   <title><![CDATA[Jan. 19 - Unemployment Rate Drops to 5.7 Percent]]></title>
                   <link>http://www.positivelyminnesota.com/Newsroom/Press_Releases/Most_Current_Releases/Jan._19_-_Unemployment_Rate_Drops_to_5.7_Percent.aspx</link>
                   <description><![CDATA[The Minnesota unemployment rate fell 0.2 percent in December to a seasonally adjusted 5.7 percent, according to figures released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). 

The state unemployment rate has fallen 1.5 percent since August, the biggest decrease over a four-month span on record in Minnesota, dating back to 1976. The U.S. unemployment rate in December was 8.5 percent.
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                   <title><![CDATA[Jan. 12 - Exports Grow 4 Percent in Third Quarter]]></title>
                   <link>http://www.positivelyminnesota.com/Newsroom/Press_Releases/Most_Current_Releases/Jan._12_-_Exports_Grow_4_Percent_in_Third_Quarter.aspx</link>
                   <description><![CDATA[Minnesota’s agricultural, mining and manufactured exports grew nearly 4 percent from the same period a year ago to $5.1 billion in the third quarter of 2011, according to figures released today by DEED. The totals were a third-quarter record, beating the previous mark of $5 billion in the third quarter of 2008. The state’s best quarter ever for exports of agricultural, mining and manufactured products was $5.3 billion in the second quarter of last year.
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                   <title><![CDATA[Jan. 10 - DEED Awards Cleanup Grants]]></title>
                   <link>http://www.positivelyminnesota.com/Newsroom/Press_Releases/Most_Current_Releases/Jan._10_-_DEED_Awards_Cleanup_Grants.aspx</link>
                   <description><![CDATA[The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has awarded more than $5.2 million in grants to investigate or clean up 16 contaminated sites in seven cities in the state.]]></description>
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                   <title><![CDATA[Jan. 10 - New DEED Training Grant for Hiawatha Broadband Employees]]></title>
                   <link>http://www.positivelyminnesota.com/Newsroom/Press_Releases/Most_Current_Releases/Jan._10_-_New_DEED_Training_Grant_for_Hiawatha_Broadb_Employees.aspx</link>
                   <description><![CDATA[Jan. 10 - New DEED Training Grant for Hiawatha Broadband Employees]]></description>
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                   <title><![CDATA[Jan. 5 - DEED Releases Report on State's Green Jobs]]></title>
                   <link>http://www.positivelyminnesota.com/Newsroom/Press_Releases/Most_Current_Releases/Jan._5_-_DEED_Releases_Report_on_State's_Green_Jobs.aspx</link>
                   <description><![CDATA[“Minnesota’s Emerging Green Economy: Green Jobs Report 2011,” a comprehensive study of the state’s green job vacancies and potential for growth, is now available, DEED announced.]]></description>
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                   <title><![CDATA[Jan. 4 - DEED Grants Help Workers Who Lost Jobs]]></title>
                   <link>http://www.positivelyminnesota.com/Newsroom/Press_Releases/Most_Current_Releases/Jan._4_-_DEED_Grants_Help_Workers_Who_Lost_Jobs.aspx</link>
                   <description><![CDATA[DEED Dislocated Worker Grants Help Workers Who Lost Jobs]]></description>
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                   <title><![CDATA[Jan. 3 - Programs Help Businesses Access Capital]]></title>
                   <link>http://www.positivelyminnesota.com/Newsroom/Press_Releases/Most_Current_Releases/Jan._3_-_Programs_Help_Businesses_Access_Capital.aspx</link>
                   <description><![CDATA[Four new business funding programs included in the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) are available to help businesses access credit, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development has announced.

The SSBCI uses federal funding to stimulate private-sector lending and improve access to capital for small businesses and manufacturers that are creditworthy but not getting loans they need to expand and create jobs.]]></description>
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