Extension Logo
Extension Logo
University of Minnesota Extension
extension.umn.edu

Community research

  1. Home
  2. Community consultation
  3. Research for communities
  4. Community research

Our educators work with communities across Minnesota. They conduct research on community-focused topics, such as understanding local economics, retaining businesses, growing retail markets, getting to know consumers and developing tourism.

Featured research

People's Energy Cooperative name and logo on the front of their building.
People’s Energy Cooperative business retention and expansion program

In the PEC service area, 24 business visits were completed between August and December 2021. Read a summary of their BRE program findings.

Construction workers restoring the front exterior of the Lewis P. and Lisbeth (Putnam) Hunt House in Mankato, Minnesota.
Economic impact of projects leveraged by the Minnesota Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit: fiscal year 2022

Submitted projects will generate an estimated $349.8 million of economic activity in Minnesota. Read more findings.

Two goats fenced-in on a farm.
Halal in Minnesota: Goat meat marketing case study

Halal meat is a growing opportunity for livestock producers in Minnesota. Read about a farmer's experience entering the halal market and key takeaways for other interested farms.

Completed reports and surveys

Our reports are listed by location (region, state, national or international) and topic. There are the five regions in Minnesota:

  • Northwest
  • Northeast
  • Central
  • Southwest
  • Southeast

Note: Completed reports are not available for every county or location listed below.

About our topics

  • Developing tourism: examines current issues and opportunities for communities and the tourism industry in Minnesota and beyond.
  • Getting to know consumers: examines and profiles consumer behavior.
  • Growing retail markets: examines the strengths and weaknesses of retail sectors in communities and counties across Minnesota.
  • Housing: examines housing challenges in small rural communities in Minnesota.
  • Retaining businesses: features findings from community interviews with existing businesses about the local business climate. Reports may also highlight the strategic actions the communities identified in their business retention and expansion work.
  • Understanding local economies: examines the effects of economic change in communities, regions and states.

Statewide in Minnesota

 | 

Northwest

This region includes these counties:

Becker, Clay, Clearwater, Douglas, Grant, Hubbard, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Otter Tail, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, Roseau, Traverse, Wadena, Wilkin

 | 

Northeast

This region includes these counties:

Aitkin, Beltrami, Carlton, Cass, Cook, Crow Wing, Itasca, Kanabec, Koochiching, Lake, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Pine, St. Louis, Todd

 | 

Central

This region includes these counties:

Anoka, Benton, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, McLeod, Meeker, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Stearns, Washington, Wright

 | 

Southwest

This region includes these counties:

Big Stone, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Pope, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Stevens, Swift, Watonwan, Yellow Medicine

 | 

Southeast

This region includes these counties: 

Blue Earth, Brown, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Le Sueur, Mower, Nicollet, Olmsted, Rice, Sibley, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, Winona

 | 

Non-region specific

Research reports or studies that are not related to any specific region or location.

 | 

National

 | 

Consult with us

Community economics • Leadership and civic engagement • Tourism

Extension educators work in communities with partners throughout Minnesota. Contact us for consultation, guidance and conversation about your community.

Find an educator

Page survey

© 2023 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.