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University of Minnesota Extension
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Community consultation

Research for communities

Connecting businesses and community

How do you keep businesses in your community? Our Extension program mobilizes towns to ask businesses what they need to thrive.

Economic impact analysis

How will a change in local industry, business, policy or public finance affect jobs and revenue in your community? Extension's analysis helps you understand how your local economy works.

Economic development projects

Do you have an economic development question that affects your community? Let us know. The EDA Center studies economic development concerns in Minnesota.

Local option sales tax analysis

How would a local sales tax affect your community? Extension's analysis can help you understand the potential impact on residents and visitors and estimated proceeds.

Market area profiles

Do businesses in your community know what their customers want? Extension provides market area profiles that help local stores know and grow their retail base.

Retail trade analysis

Do you know what businesses attract shoppers to — and away from — your town? Extension's custom research reports can help you understand your retail strengths, gaps and opportunities.

Tourism assessment program

What is you community's potential for developing tourism? Our tourism assessment program helps you identify your local tourism assets and explore ways to diversify your economy through tourism.

Visitor profiles

How well do you know the visitors coming to your town? Extension offers research services to help your community understand and collect data on tourists.

Community research

Explore Extension research and learn about local economies, retaining businesses, growing retail markets, local foods, developing tourism, and more.

Community workshops

At Your Service workshop

Are the frontline staff in your community maximizing their customer service skills? This workshop builds customer-focused skills and knowledge for quality experiences.

Ag Horizons workshops

Extension dives into the county-level economics of agriculture and areas for improvement to reduce stress.

Economic Futures Workshop

How would growth or loss in one industry impact jobs and revenue in other businesses? This workshop stimulates informed conversations on your local economy and businesses.

Making it Home

Local conversations and events can help small towns create a community-wide vision that attracts new residents.

Public value workshop

Do you know the public value of your organization? Extension offers a workshop that gives you the opportunity and tools to develop a public value strategy for your program.

News

A customer making a purchase with a credit card.

From inflation to the job market, recent headlines share some stunning economic news. Learn about the data behind this news and how it's impacting our current economy.

Welcome a place to belong text on two large signage flags near a Main Street road leading into a town.

Why aren't people moving to our town? Extension is helping communities assess how newcomers are included in their community life.

A movie theater at dusk with "Grease" on the display board.

University of Minnesota Extension’s retail trade analyses help communities shape their economic future. Communities such as Alexandria use the data to make smart choices for the future.

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