Governor Walz Secures $97 Million for Small Business Support in Minnesota

Governor Walz and Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Steve Grove announced that Minnesota has secured nearly $100 million in new funding to support small businesses through the State Small Business Credit Initiative. 

“Small businesses are at the heart of communities across the state and drive our economic growth,” said Governor Walz. “These new federal funding streams are critical to bolstering small businesses and helping Minnesota’s economy grow and thrive.”

Governor Walz, Lieutenant Governor Flanagan Celebrate 12 Consecutive Months of Job Growth, Lowest Unemployment Rate in the Nation

Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan celebrated Minnesota’s September jobs report, which marked 12 straight months of job growth in Minnesota. At 2.4%, Minnesota’s employment growth continues to outpace the national rate – and has seen the most gains in education, business, leisure and hospitality, construction, and manufacturing. Minnesota has also maintained the nation's low unemployment rate at 2%. 

Governor Walz Harvests Two Roosters at 2022 Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener

This past weekend, Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan celebrated the tenth annual Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener in Worthington, where Governor Walz harvested two roosters. Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan’s hunting parties harvested six roosters in total. The weekend included a public lands celebration, community food truck gathering, hunters’ breakfast, and a post-hunt lunch and bird cleaning.

“As a lifelong hunter and Pheasants Forever member, I look forward to this weekend all year,” said Governor Walz. “Thank you to the community of Worthington and Nobles County for making the opening weekend of the pheasant hunting season a memorable one. I’m grateful for the Nobles County Pheasants Forever chapter for their outstanding conservation work that makes this sport possible, and the many community volunteers that helped make this celebration happen.”

“It was a beautiful morning for the pheasant opener, and I was grateful to hunt with a group of talented women,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “I always enjoy visiting Worthington, and this weekend was the perfect opportunity to highlight the many recreational and tourism opportunities it has to offer.”

Lieutenant Governor Flanagan Highlights Executive Action to Protect Reproductive Freedom in Minnesota

As states across the Midwest continue to severely restrict reproductive freedom, Lieutenant Governor Flanagan joined U.S. Senator Tina Smith, Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman to highlight actions to safeguard the right to an abortion in Minnesota.

"Here in Minnesota, we protect our neighbors. That’s why Governor Walz took executive action to protect those who are seeking or providing abortions in Minnesota from legal repercussions in other states," said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan.

Minnesota Recognized as a Leading State for Data-Driven and Evidence-Based Policymaking

At a virtual event co-hosted by the National Governors Association and Results for America, Minnesota was recognized as a leading state in using evidence and data to deliver better results for Minnesotans. 

Minnesota was one of eight leading states recognized for using evidence and data to protect the health and safety of their residents, accelerate their states’ economic recovery, advance equity, and increase the impact of state investments.

For more information about how states are building their data and evidence capacity, visit Results for America’s 2022 Invest in What Works State Standard of Excellence.