Small businesses have such a big impact on their communities, and the world at large, that it might be time to reconsider refering to them as “small.” According to the World Bank, small businesses have a major impact on the world economy, especially in emerging countries. In such nations, small and medium enterprises contribute up to 60% of total employment and up to 40% of … [Read more...]
How local businesses give back to their communities
Small businesses are booming. Information from the Small Business Administration and the U.S. Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Entrepreneurs says that small businesses, or firms with fewer than 500 workers, accounted for 99.7% of businesses in 2016, the most recent year for data. Firms with fewer than 100 workers accounted for 98.2% of companies. Thanks to their influence … [Read more...]
New consignment business opens in Harmony
It all started when Harmony native Becky Hoff started downsizing the contents of her closet by selling some of her clothes on online marketplace apps such as Poshmark and Mercari. Then, she started finding pieces while out browsing estate sales and thrift stores. “And I thought, I could sell that,” she said. The next thing she knew, she was in business. She stayed busy prepping … [Read more...]
Krage & Overland proud to serve on state and national boards
Josh Krage and Dennis Overland are independent insurance agents. Krage’s office is in Lanesboro, while Overland is based in Rushford. One might think they’d be fierce competitors, but they actually help each other out, and nowadays, both Krage and Overland serve on the state board of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA), which promotes independent insurance agents, and … [Read more...]
SEMAC announces February 1 grant deadline
The Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council announces a call for proposals by individual artists. All proposed projects must begin no earlier than April 1, 2020, and be completed within 12 months, culminating with a capstone event that is accessible and open to the public. Online applications will be available throughout January with a February 1, 2020, submission … [Read more...]
Harmony welcomes new Chamber director
“I felt that I was up to the challenge,” Melissa Vander Plas about her new job as the director of the Harmony Area Chamber of Commerce. Melissa grew up on a small farm just northeast of Harmony, graduated from Harmony High School, and has lived the last 20 years in Harmony. When Melissa saw the posting for the Chamber director job, it seemed too opportune to pass up. “I … [Read more...]
Fountain artist decorates Harmony windows for fall
Art and window painting has always been a part of Geri Hanson’s life. Her father owned a gas station in La Crosse and, when she was a child, she often helped him paint the windows with decorative pictures. Geri’s mother was artistic as well. “My mom was incredibly crafty and painted a lot,” Geri said. One of Geri’s recent projects was painting the windows of various … [Read more...]
Board president of MiBroadband appointed to Governor’s Task Force
HARMONY, MN, October 10, 2019 — Brian Krambeer, board president of MiBroadband, has been appointed to the Governor’s Task Force on Broadband. The Task Force appointments were announced by Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan and include community leaders throughout the state of Minnesota. Krambeer has worked in the rural electric cooperative industry for … [Read more...]
Hands-free law solutions at Main Street Wireless
“It was assumed that it was coming,” Lee Novotny, owner of Main Street Wireless in Chatfield, said of the hands-free driving law that went into effect in Minnesota on August 1, 2019. According to the Governor’s Highway Safety Association, Minnesota is the 20th state in the US to pass a hands-free law. Novotny was not surprised. “I think it was an obvious one that it was … [Read more...]
DEED awards $3.6 million from Job Creation Fund Funding will assist five Minnesota communities create more than 400 new jobs
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) today announced $3.6 million in awards from the Job Creation Fund for business expansions in five Minnesota communities. The awards are expected to generate more than 400 jobs over the next three years. Awards were made to Blattner Energy in Avon, Fox Valley Metrology in Stacy, Puris Proteins in Lac … [Read more...]