By Lori EhdeIt’s fair to say Rock County’s population is aging, it’s schools are losing enrollment and its labor market is stretched thin.If that’s a fair assessment, then Rock County is perfectly in line with trends facing all of southwest Minnesota.The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development recently released its Southwest Minnesota Regional Profile.It essentially analyzes regional demographics and how they affect the economy.A bright spot for Rock County is that it’s one of few projected to grow its population 3.5 percent over the next 25 years. That may be because it’s projected to become a bedroom community of Sioux Falls, but nonetheless, it’s good news in light of neighboring Nobles, Pipestone and Murray counties projected to decrease by about 6.5 percent.In general the findings of the report aren’t surprising."Southwest Minnesota is home to an aging population and changing economy," the executive summary asserts."Nearly 20 percent of the regional population is 65 years or older, prompting a demand for healthcare and social services. … The pressure will be on to ‘grow old gracefully,’ as the region will be far ahead of its time in supporting an older population and labor force."The report notes that at the same time the aging population makes health care and social service an area of job growth."Both public and private-run nursing and residential care facilities are booming in the region, while offering a career ladder for employees," the report states.This is evident in Rock County with the recent addition of senior residential facilities, strong nursing homes and in Luverne, a new Sioux Valley hospital and clinic campus opening next summer.As far as its economy, the report notes that while much of the state and nation have shifted their economies to focus on services, southwest Minnesota still relies primarily on agriculture and manufacturing.The report notes that southwest Minnesota is "continuing to learn how to compete in different ways by creating new, value-added manufacturing and specialties and renewable energy sources."This couldn’t be more evident in Rock County with its ethanol and wind production picking up speed.By contrast, the report notes that many rural K-12 school districts are facing decreasing enrollments and tight budgets, "leading to painful cuts."Luverne is one of many districts seeking help from its residents in the form of operating referendums.Other points of interest noted in the report are southwest Minnesota’s strengths and weaknesses.Among the strengths listed are:oPeople care about each other in rural Minnesota.oThey have an above-average work ethic and make up an experienced, hard-working labor force.oThey have strong secondary and post-secondary education.oMany communities have Economic Development Authorities, so they know it’s important to work on their economies.Perceived weaknesses in the region are:oLack of good jobs that provide benefits and a living wage.oDeclining, aging workforce.oChanging impact of agriculture.oPay inequity compared with metro areas.oLack of amenities to attract business and workers to the region.The southwest Minnesota counties examined in the regional profile include Big Stone, Chippewa, Lac qui Parle, Swift, Yellow Medicine, Cottonwood, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, and Rock.The report concluded, "The people of southwest Minnesota are proud of their region, value their quality of life and live in communities that work well together."More information is available on the Minnesota Department of Economic Employment and Development Web site: www.deed.state.mn.us.
