Understanding Skills Shortages and Regional Economies

By Kyle Uphoff

How are changing demographics affecting the economic heart of Greater Minnesota, its workforce?

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Self-driving cars? They’re closer than you think

Frank Douma, director of the State and Local Policy Program at the U of M’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs, joins us this week. Frank has been tracking self-driving vehicles for years. The technology for them is out in fields right now, Frank says, and MnDOT demonstrated self-driving buses last year already. We can expect more demonstrations, including in Greater Minnesota. But what about people with jobs as drivers right now?
Shopping small in Greater Minnesota, pt 1

Heather Fisher, owner of Salvage Sisters in Mankato, joins Marnie and Jim to talk about Shop Small Saturday and the importance of small businesses to cities small and large in Greater Minnesota.
Government: At the intersection of local, state and federal, pt 3

In the third and final part of our interview with CRPD board member and Crow Wing County Administrator Tim Houle, Tim talks about how federal transportation dollars are divided among Minnesota’s communities, and why with the upcoming Census in 2020 it will be especially important that everyone gets counted. Minnesota is on the verge of losing a Congressional seat, and that could have a serious impact on the amount of federal dollars flowing into the state.
Government: At the intersection of local, state and federal, pt 2

Crow Wing County Administrator and CRPD board member Tim Houle joins us again this week to talk about the complicated relationship between the county, state and federal governments. This week we look at the need for counties to communicate the local perspective to state lawmakers in St. Paul. As an example, Tim talks about mental health and county jails.
Government: At the intersection of local, state and federal, pt 1

Crow Wing County Administrator and CRPD board member Tim Houle joins us this week to talk about the complicated relationship between the county, state and federal governments.