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EDA Center: A partner for your economic development projects

With grant funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), the University of Minnesota EDA Center studies economic development concerns in Minnesota. Since 2008, the EDA Center has been a partnership between University of Minnesota Extension and University of Minnesota Crookston.

Using current funding (from 2021 to 2026), the EDA Center commits to using University resources to work with community partners on:

  • Advancing high-growth entrepreneurship
  • Promoting business expansion, including small- and medium-sized and ethnically diverse enterprises
  • Developing a highly skilled regional workforce

Beyond written reports, EDA dollars are spent to bring educational presentations to community leaders and residents and to facilitate discussions about future action. EDA dollars are typically matched by Extension or the University of Minnesota Crookston to complete projects.

Connect with us to inform your economic decisions

Do you have an economic development question that affects your community? Let us know. We review and approve project ideas in collaboration with community and business leaders on an ongoing basis. Staff and faculty at Extension and University of Minnesota Crookston are here to help your community think about change and future planning. We offer help with:

  • Engaging economic developers, community and regional leaders, and state leaders to hear their on-the-ground questions and concerns
  • Conducting applied research that looks at critical questions and local concerns
  • Providing technical assistance to community leaders as they lead and decide
  • Delivering educational presentations and facilitating community conversations about economic development
  • Disseminating what we learn to those who can use the information to lead and decide

Primary contacts

  • Mitchell Berg, University of Minnesota Crookston
  • Bruce Schwartau, University of Minnesota Extension

Project ideas

If you have an economic development project idea for Minnesota, send it to the EDA Center using the below form.

Submit your idea

 

Immigrant entrepreneurship in Northwest Minnesota

How can communities help immigrant entrepreneur business owners? Find some ideas and watch interviews from two case studies.

Karlstad farm elevator closure

The loss of three jobs is predicted to cause a decline in economic output of an estimated $698,200 in Kittson County. Read more about the economic impact.

Economic impacts of COVID-19: Southeast Minnesota

Public-private partnerships to connect the labor force with jobs was one of many ideas for supporting Southeast Minnesota's economy. Learn more about this workshop.

Economic contribution of Minnesota’s craft brewing industry and the impact of COVID-19

Survey results show an 18% drop in sales and a 10% decrease in jobs due to COVID-19 restrictions. Read more findings from Extension's study.

Upcoming related events

Sponsored by the EDA Center

There are no upcoming events.

Funds from the Economic Development Administration at the U.S. Department of Commerce are under award number 06-66-05709. The statements, findings, conclusions and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Economic Development Administration or the U.S. Department of Commerce.

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