Economic Composition of Northwest Minnesota: Industries and Performance

1 electronic resource (PDF). This archival publication may not reflect current scientific knowledge or recommendations. Current information available from the University of Minnesota Extension: https://www.extension.umn.edu.Partnership: Presented in partnership with the EDA Center at the University of Minnesota, Crooksto

Economic Composition of Southwest Minnesota: Industries and Performance

1 electronic resource (PDF). This archival publication may not reflect current scientific knowledge or recommendations. Current information available from the University of Minnesota Extension: https://www.extension.umn.edu.Partnership: Presented in partnership with the EDA Center at the University of Minnesota, Crooksto

Economic Emergency Program: St. Cloud Printing Plant Closure

On May 30 2014, Quad/Graphics announced the completion of its acquisition of Brown Printing Company. As part of integration plans following the acquisition, the company later announced the closure of the Quad/Graphics printing plant in St. Cloud, Minnesota. The plant closure will result in the loss of 280 jobs at the St. Cloud plant. It is estimated that the closure will result in the total loss of 475 jobs, $72.7 million of sales, and$24.6 million of labor income in Stearns and Benton counties. In addition to the direct loss of jobs in the printing industry, the industries of food service and drinking places, wholesale trade, real estate establishments, and private hospitals will be most affected by the closure of the plant. The St. Cloud State University School of Public Affairs Research Institute and the University of Minnesota Extension have prepared this economic emergency report to highlight the potential economic impact of the plant closure. This report is presented with support from the EDA Center at the University of Minnesota-Crookston

Improving Surveillance and Epidemic Response in Ohio Childcare Settings

At the start of the Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the risk of cases in childcare programs was unknown. Thus, a rapid-response research approach was launched in Ohio childcare settings. Passive surveillance data from a state-operated incident reporting system were evaluated to estimate the number of COVID-19 cases from 15 August 2020 to 1 January 2021. Additionally, active surveillance with self-administered reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests were conducted among staff at 46 childcare programs. Finally, six zoom-based focus groups with program administrators were used to gain feedback. Staff and children in childcare settings contributed 0.38% and 0.15% of the COVID-19 cases in Ohio during this timeframe, respectively. RT-PCR testing identified 3 unrecognized cases (0.88% of tests), and all occurred when the statewide positivity rate was >5%. Focus groups revealed that access to affordable cleaning supplies, masks, and reliable staffing were critical. Perhaps most importantly, we conclude that expanding the incident reporting system to include a childcare census would allow for the tracking of future health problems with highly valuable incidence rate estimations