Each year, the Center for Rural Policy and Development produces the State of Rural Minnesota report, a brief update on the economy and demography of rural Minnesota. As policy discussions concerning rural Minnesota unfold, it is important to understand the past, present, and potential futures of our rural regions.

The Center, along with the Minnesota Newspaper Association and Compeer Financial, hosted its first gubernatorial candidates’ forum on January 26 during MNA’s annual convention. Our moderator Mary Lahammer led the candidates in one-on-one conversations about just rural issues, ranging from workforce and housing to broadband and water. All nine candidates participated, giving the 150 or ...

The number of students choosing to open enroll in Greater Minnesota has been trending upward consistently since the policy was developed, but within the last ten years, these patterns have been intensifying, and in such a way that they are impacting how districts plan their programming, busing, and finances.

Providing housing for a community or region’s population is complex and dynamic. A healthy housing market should be able to provide housing for most people and their diverse needs through a combination of natural churn and new construction. In rural areas, however, economic and demographic forces are at work creating a housing shortage that many communities ...

EXCERPT: “Cook County and the city of Grand Marais are teaming up to create a regional park just north of the city. The proposed Sawtooth Bluff Regional Park would be built on 640 acres already owned by the county and city. There is also potential to acquire two additional parcels in the future, a 78-acres ...

  This week we talk with IRRB Commissioner Mark Phillips about economic development on the Iron Range and the impact of trade tariffs on the iron ore industry.

EXCERPT: “One of the most common significant struggles for most small cities across the state is the balance between funding critical projects and other necessities and limiting the amount of burden they put on their residents. Top it off with the proposed LGA budget being less than it was in 2002 for this year the ...