Featured Stories

Forget Midwest. We Are North: Repositioning MSP's National Identity for the 21st Century

Camille LeFevre Wednesday, December 03, 2014

According to a recent panel discussion, we need to own our cold climate and our ingenuity in order to attract new talent, continue fueling the innovation at the heart of our economy, and create a new and authentic national identity. Shall we call ourselves the North?

Arts and Culture, Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Leadership, Design, diversity, Regionalism, Strong Local Economy, Talent Dividend

The crowd for the Replacements at Midway stadium, photo by Nate Ryan, MPR

We On Some Nonstop! Why We're the Cities of Music

Ira Brooker Wednesday, December 03, 2014

From a fan's perspective, the Minnesota music scene feels like a uniquely supportive community. But he wanted to see if that's a viewpoint shared by artists who have come here from other environs. It is, despite the cold.

Arts and Culture, Creative Leadership, diversity, Entrepreneurship, Nightlife

Midway, Downtown

An enthusiastic cyclist at work during a Grease Rag event, photo courtesy Grease Rag

Grrl Power: Initiatives in the Twin Cities Getting More Women on Bicycles

Brian Martucci Wednesday, November 12, 2014

With momentum on multiple fronts, a number of women-led initiatives are expanding the future of cycling to create a healthier, safer, more opportunity-rich Twin Cities for female cyclists.

Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, diversity, Sustainability, Transportation

Downtown, Lake Street, North Side, Uptown/Lyn Lake, Downtown/Lowertown, Thomas - Dale/Frogtown, Powderhorn

Outside Nic on Fifth, courtesy Nic on Fifth

The Two Towers: New Minneapolis Highrises Are Poised to Change Downtown Living

Chris Dall Wednesday, November 05, 2014

Architects, developers and city officials hope that two new apartment towers, which are changing the skyline of downtown Minneapolis, will transform street life and commerce with an influx of new residents and new businesses.

Creative Economy, Nightlife, Reuse / Rebuild, Shopping, Sustainability, Transit Oriented Development, Transportation

Downtown

Cycling in the Cities: Seven New Local Inventions for Bike Enthusiasts Here and Around the Globe

Brian Martucci Wednesday, October 22, 2014

The Twin Cities is a leader in bicycle use and a major innovator in bicycle design and technology. The seven inventions profiled here have, or will have, an impact on the local and global cycling industry. And the pace of innovation shows no sign of slowing down.

Central Corridor, Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, Design, Emerging Technologies, Emerging Technology, Entrepreneurship, Strong Local Economy, Sustainability, Transportation

Shawn Combs Walding, photo by Brian Martucci

Q+A: Shawn Combs Walding, MnDOT's Transit Advantages Coordinator

Brian Martucci Wednesday, October 15, 2014

We recently sat down with Shawn Combs Walding, MnDOT’s Transit Advantages Coordinator for the Twin Cities Metro District to discuss alternative transportation in the Twin Cities, what local entities can do to promote transit use, and how easy it really is to be car-free.

Central Corridor, Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, diversity, Sustainability, Transit Oriented Development, Transportation

Rail~Volution Recap: The Power of Millennials and Transit Planning in the Twin Cities

Brian Martucci and Kyle Mianulli Wednesday, October 15, 2014

The message of this year's Rail~Volution conference in the Twin Cities was clear: To attract and retain top talent in the coming decades, cities must meet Millennials' preferences for effective transit options.

Central Corridor, Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, Emerging Technologies, Regionalism, Strong Local Economy, Sustainability, Transit Oriented Development, Transportation

Downtown, Downtown/Lowertown

Outsell's Post-It note wall of achievements, photo by Jasper Sanidad

Modern Office Designs for Fast-Growing Creative Companies That (Super)Power Their Work Cultures

Camille LeFevre and Joel Hoekstra Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Creative employers--like these two fast-paced, fast-growing Minneapolis companies--are collaborating with architecture firms on modern office makeovers that (super)power their brands and work processes.

Coordination/Collaboration, Design, Entrepreneurship, High Technology

Downtown, Uptown/Lyn Lake

The Media is the Message: Minneapolis Artist Guante Uses Hip Hop to Engage Communities

NICOLE RUPERSBURG Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Kyle Tran Myhre, who performs under the stage name "Guante," is a hip hop artist, two-time National Poetry Slam champion, social justice activist, educator, and writer whose work is to examine the nature of performance – what it means for a culture, how it can serve a greater purpose.

Arts and Culture, Creative Leadership

Downtown

Gluten-Free Beer, Women-Only Ridesharing, Wellness Apps: 10 New Startups That Will Change Your Life

Brian Martucci Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Driven by the seemingly boundless energy of local creatives, community leaders and entrepreneurs, Minneapolis-St. Paul’s burgeoning startup culture shows no signs of slowing down. Here are 10 compelling, life-changing startups to know about now.

Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, Emerging Technologies, Emerging Technology, Entrepreneurship, Healthcare, High Technology, Higher Education, Life Sciences, Strong Local Economy

University, Downtown, Southwest, Uptown/Lyn Lake, Calhoun - Isles

No Braking in Sight: Six New Twin Cities' Food Trucks You Need To Try

Kyle Mianulli Wednesday, August 20, 2014

During these coveted warm months, wherever the people go, an army of gourmet and artisan food trucks are sure to follow. Here are six new food trucks hitting Twin Cities' streets that you might have missed. Get out and try something delicious.

Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Nightlife, Strong Local Economy

Central Avenue, Downtown, Downtown/Lowertown, Warehouse/North Loop, Northeast

Urban Organics produce at the Lund's Penfield, courtesy Urban Organics

Urban Farm to Urban Table: Growing and Sourcing Hyper-Local Food in the Twin Cities

Brian Martucci Wednesday, August 13, 2014

The Twin Cities is emerging as a hotbed of innovative agricultural activity. An ambitious group of producers and retailers aims to redefine what it means to be local, and give retaurants and consumers more control over what they eat and drink.

Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Green Jobs, Shopping, Strong Local Economy, Sustainability

Riverfront/Mill District, Midway, Downtown, Lake Street, Southwest, Seward, Thomas - Dale/Frogtown, Northeast

The Lunds next to Chute Square in Minneapolis, courtesy Steve/sdate

The Complete City: Why Density and Amenities Are Essential to Everyday Urban Living

Camille LeFevre Wednesday, July 09, 2014

After decades of population loss, many cities are now growing faster than the rest of their metro areas. Urban living is now the new normal. What amenities are necessary to sustain a dense and vibrant city? The answers might surprise you.

Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, diversity, Nightlife, Reuse / Rebuild, Shopping, Strong Local Economy, Sustainability, Transit Oriented Development, Transportation

Riverfront/Mill District, Downtown, Warehouse/North Loop, Northeast

10 Local Apps for Mobilizing Summer in the Cities

Dan Heilman Wednesday, July 09, 2014

Summer in Minneapolis-St. Paul is all about getting out and about. Here are 10 homegrown apps to help you make the most of your summer in the cities.

Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Leadership, Design, Emerging Technology, Entrepreneurship, Nightlife, Transportation

Riverfront/Mill District, Central Avenue, Downtown, Lake Street, Uptown/Lyn Lake, West Seventh, Longfellow, Downtown/Lowertown, Warehouse/North Loop, Northeast

One of Seeyond's innovative enclosures, courtesy Seeyond

Design Tech: Why MSP is a Hotbed of Manufacturing and Fabrication Innovation

John Comazzi Wednesday, June 18, 2014

The Twin Cities metro is a hotbed of manufacturers and fabricators innovating and growing their businesses to provide easier, faster, less expensive solutions for design and construction challenges.

Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, Design, Emerging Technologies, Emerging Technology, Entrepreneurship

Downtown, Southwest, Northeast

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