Factory, farm jobs unusually high in Brown County

Make county unique

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

SLEEPY EYE -- Brown County's high percentage of manufacturing and farm jobs make it unique among Minnesota's 87 counties, according to a demographic and economic expert.

Dr. Jack Geller of The Center for Rural Policy and Development, based in St. Peter, presented "The Demography and Economy of Brown County: A Look to the Future," Friday morning at the quarterly meeting of the Brown County Congress of Elected and Appointed Officials at the Brown County REA.

Demographics are destiny, Geller said. Among the distinctive features of Brown County are one of the lowest fatal accident rates in the state, a significantly greater elderly population, a low but growing percentage of non-whites, a high percentage of manufacturing employment, and large increase in businesses employing 50-99 employees.

"Success in the farming industry is greater here than what we typically see in rural counties," Geller said. "There must be more real farmers here that consolidate. It's not making you awful rich, but it isn't making you poor either. You also have an extraordinary mix of farming and manufacturing jobs."

Education is a key part of maintaining a bright future, according to Geller.

"A talented work force will attract and retain business," Geller said. He noted the Alexandria area where a technical college and area firms work closely to provide training for high-technology, precision manufacturing jobs.

After more than two years of job losses, Minnesota's economy is finally showing recovery signs, according to The Center. Recent signs point to revitalized business production and investment.

While the Twin City area will be the primary beneficiary of the rebound, Greater Minnesota is expected to increase capacity for new jobs, investment and production and back-office facilities.

Several attending the meeting expressed fears of more jobs moving to foreign countries. Geller said many out-sourced jobs have low wages.

The Center found:

* Many Twin City firms want to make new investments in capital equipment, job growth or expanded facilities in the next year.

* Most prefer the Twin Cities as the place to invest but larger firms with national and global markets are more likely to look elsewhere, including outside the country.

* Companies with operations in Greater Minnesota are much more likely to consider it for production investments than those without an existing presence.

* Availability of skilled labor, labor costs and tax rates are among the most important factors for firms in determining an optimal location for new investments.

* Business executives consider quality of life to be Greater Minnesota's strongest asset, while its tax rates received the lowest ratings. It fared relatively well on skilled labor availability, particularly among companies with operations in Greater Minnesota.

* One-third of respondents would be more likely to invest in Greater Minnesota if one or more of the location factors was improved. Of that third, nearly one-half said Job Opportunity Building Zones (JOBZ), the state's recent tax-free zone initiative, would make them more likely to invest in Greater Minnesota.

* Responses suggested that JOBZ marketing efforts might be most effectively targeted at firms with Greater Minnesota operations.

For more information, visit www.ruralmn.org