# Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development *State economic development agency of Minnesota* The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is the lead economic development agency of the State of [[Minnesota]].[^1][^2] Its mission, as summarized on Wikipedia, includes helping individuals, businesses and communities succeed economically by expanding opportunities for growth.[^2] DEED dates from July 2003, when two earlier state departments were combined to form it.[^2] Its work is divided among units for business and community development, workforce development, unemployment insurance, and communications, analysis and research.[^2] A DEED web address, www.deed.state.mn.us, is listed in the project's claim records as the department's [[Pay equity]] resources page.[^3] ## History In July 2003, the Minnesota Department of Trade and Economic Development (DTED) and the Minnesota Department of Economic Security (MDES) were merged to form DEED.[^2] The available record does not establish the instrument that authorized the merger, or which officials or parties enacted or carried it out.[^2] ## Divisions DEED's work is organized into four named divisions.[^2] - **Business and Community Development (BCD):** offers financial and technical help to businesses, communities and economic development practitioners. It supports export growth, assists companies based in Minnesota that plan to expand, works with firms considering a move to the state, and helps communities finance infrastructure. It also houses DEED's support program for the federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, which gives Minnesota startups guidance and help with proposals.[^2] - **Workforce Development:** partners with local and statewide organizations on training and support for unemployed and dislocated workers. It also provides financial aid to businesses that want to raise their employees' skills. The division's other services include state services for the blind, rehabilitation services, a local labor exchange and disability determination, many of them offered at CareerForce sites across the state.[^2] - **Unemployment Insurance:** pays Minnesota workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own a portion of their former wages for a limited period. The source describes the program as a stabilizer and stimulus for the economy during downturns.[^2] - **Communications, Analysis and Research:** coordinates DEED's information resources. It also provides central services in communications, marketing, publications, economic analysis and labor-market work.[^2] ## Notes [^1]: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, *DEED* (institutional homepage, undated) — the department's official web presence. https://mn.gov/deed/ [^2]: Wikipedia contributors, *Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development* (revision 1368463926, retrieved 26 October 2026) — mission summary, July 2003 merger of DTED and MDES, and the four divisions. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota_Department_of_Employment_and_Economic_Development [^3]: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, *Pay Equity Resources* (undated) — DEED web address recorded as the department's pay equity resources page. https://www.deed.state.mn.us/