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 |