Minnesota Ready coalition asks Gov. Walz to open Minnesota’s economy by June 19

St. Paul, MN (06/11/20) – The Minnesota Ready coalition – a group of nearly 60 business organizations throughout Minnesota – will ask Governor Tim Walz today to allow all Minnesota’s businesses to fully open by June 19. Many of the groups will host live events today and penned a letter to the governor earlier this week.  
 
“Businesses throughout the state welcomed last week’s news that more were allowed to open, but believe that more must be done. They have taken the necessary safety precautions and are ready to safely open their doors and increase their capacity,” said Doug Loon, President of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.
 
“Today we urge the governor to allow all Minnesota businesses to open by June 19 with appropriate safety planning in place to assure the safety of workers and customers,” said Brad Meier, President and CEO of the Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce. “Date certainty would help reassure small business owners, employees and customers, and restart our economy.”
 
The impact on small business has been undeniable since the onset of COVID-19. April employment statistics released by DEED show that compared to the same month last year, employment was down 73% in full-service restaurants, 63% in personal and laundry services, and 61% in arts, recreation and entertainment. Small Business Administration statistics reveal that these industries have among the highest shares of small business employment in our state’s economy.
 
Small businesses fuel of our state’s economic future,” said Robin Anthony, Executive Director of the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce. “The St. Croix Valley sits on the border with Wisconsin. Without decisive action, tourism and small businesses will suffer or be lost forever. This is a loss to thousands of workers, their families and their communities.”
 
Minnesota’s economy depends on a vast network of suppliers, logistics and moving goods within our borders and beyond. Fully opening businesses will increase the operations for that entire network, securing jobs and helping increase Minnesota’s competitiveness toward economic recovery.
 
“Whether it is delivering packages to a storefront or pallets to a loading dock, truckers see the interdependence of Minnesota’s businesses,” said John Hausladen, President of the Minnesota Trucking Association. “Every load has both an origin and a destination. When all businesses are open and operating at full capacity, real economic revival can take place.”
 
Live events from Minnesota Ready coalition members will take place in nearly a dozen sites across the state today. More details about the coalition and events are available at www.mnchamber.com/mnready.
 
Members of the Minnesota Ready coalition include:

 

Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce
Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce
Apple Valley Chamber of Commerce
Austin Area Chamber of Commerce
Belle Plaine Chamber of Commerce
Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce
Big Lake Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Brainerd Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce
Buffalo Area Chamber of Commerce
Burnsville Chamber of Commerce
Cannon Falls Area Chamber of Commerce
Cold Spring Area Chamber of Commerce
Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce
Delano Area Chamber of Commerce
Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce
Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce
Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce
Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce
Fergus Falls Area Chamber of Commerce
Forest Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
Glenwood Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce
Greater Mankato Growth, Inc.
Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce
Ham Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
Hermantown Area Chamber of Commerce
La Crescent Chamber of Commerce
Lanesboro Area Chamber of Commerce
Laurentian Chamber of Commerce
 
Leech Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
Lonsdale Area Chamber of Commerce
Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce
Melrose Area Chamber of Commerce
MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce
Minnesota Beverage Association
Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
Minnesota Recruiting and Staffing Association
Minnesota Trucking Association
Minnesota Utility Contractors Association
Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism
Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism
Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce
River Heights Chamber of Commerce
Pipestone Area Chamber of Commerce and CVB
Sauk Centre Area Chamber of Commerce
Shakopee Chamber and Visitors Bureau
SouthWest Metro Chamber of Commerce
St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber Grand Forks and East Grand Forks
Thief River Falls Chamber of Commerce
TwinWest Chamber of Commerce
Wabasha Kellogg Chamber of Commerce/CVB
Waseca Area Chamber of Commerce
Waconia Chamber of Commerce
White Bear Area Chamber of Commerce
Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce
Worthington Area Chamber of Commerce
 
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