Statewide blog
Statewide: September 20, 2010 Archive
Some cities see boost in local sales tax collections
Posted at 8:17 AM on September 20, 2010
by Tom Robertson
Filed under: Government, Northwest Minnesota, Regions
Local sales tax collections are up in a number of Minnesota cities, according to an article in the Bemidji Pioneer.
Local tax revenue in Rochester, for example, is up more than 14 percent so far this year. Austin is up nearly 9.5 percent and Bemidji is up around 8.5 percent. In some cities, this is the first increase since the start of the recession.
These taxes fund a variety of local projects. In Bemidji for example, a half-cent local sales tax goes toward parks and trail improvements. At the end of next year, the money will shift to pay back bonds for a big project to redevelop the south shore of Lake Bemidji, including development of a hockey arena and events center that opens next month
City finance officials in Bemidji were pleasantly surprised by the size of the increase. It means people are buying more taxable goods.
UND president today outlining plan to end Sioux nickname
Posted at 9:48 AM on September 20, 2010
by Dan Gunderson
Filed under: Education, Northwest Minnesota, Sports & Recreation
University of North Dakota President Robert Kelley briefs the campus today at noon about the plan to retire the Fighting Sioux nickname.
The university is ending the Fighting Sioux nickname as part of an agreement with the NCAA.
UND is setting up three task forces. They will be led by university faculty. One is called Honoring History and Traditions.
That group will recommend ways to document the 80 year history of the nickname, look for ways to continue use of the logo in non-athletic settings,
A second committee will recommend communication strategies for "an inclusive and transparent" transition to a new nickname.
A third committee is going to be activated later and will develop the process for choosing a new nickname.
The Fighting Sioux nickname will not be used for UND athletic teams after August 15, 2011.
New money for Northeast Minnesota aviation
Posted at 2:30 PM on September 20, 2010
by Bob Kelleher
Bolstered by federal and local grants to aviation, Cirrus Aircraft is holding a three-day symposium this week in Duluth with more than 250 service, training, and vendor partners.
Cirrus Spokesperson Valerie Blanchenay said company officials will update their partners on the state of the business and discuss 2011 planning.
MPR blogger Bob Collins noted a couple of weeks ago that Cirrus is looking for an "investor." It's no secret the company has put its new personal jet project into a go-slow mode until the cash is flowing better.
Last week, the local and federal governments stepped up with a bunch of cash intended for the region's aviation industry.
A new Commerce Department Grant is reported on the BusinessNorth web.
That's $1.4-million from the Commerce Department, and a $772,000 match from local governments and organizations. The more than $2-million combined is intended primarily to foster the region's aviation industry -- which so far has pretty much been Cirrus Aircraft and their local suppliers and support businesses.
That's a pretty big vote of confidence. Now we'll see if there really are other aviation businesses out there just waiting for the cash to get started.
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Reviving the 'community sing' tradition: Minnesota Sounds and Voices
The arrival of warm weather in Minneapolis marks a new beginning for "singing season," a nod to the past when thousands of people flocked to Minneapolis parks to sing together for the fun of it.
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