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Work Readiness
One of the major strengths of the Rice area working force is the strong work ethic and loyalty the employees show to their employers. The labor force is well educated and shows a strong desire to work.
The city of Rice draws a majority of its workers from a three county area, Benton, Morrison and Stearns. Surveys conducted in the Stearns, Benton and Morrison counties show that the Rice area has a large pool of workers available with experience in a variety of different occupations. In these three counties approximately 5% of the people are not currently working.
The area is not heavily unionized, with one in four workers currently being covered by union contract. Residents are also willing to travel to work. The average they are willing to commute is 22.3 miles one way. The labor force is also well educated with two out of three having some post high school education.
For more information about the available work force, please consult the Rice Area Labor Market Analysis. Request a copy by calling (320) 393-2280.
Accessibility
Airports
Rice is just 90 minutes from the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport. Access is available through Interstates 94 and 494. Local air commuter service is only 20 minutes away in St. Cloud with Northwest Airlines Airlink.
Trucking Lines
Rice is served by local, regional and national common carriers.
The local carrier is Multi Load Transport Inc., and their number is (800) 493-3972.
Bus Lines
Greyhound Bus Service provides daily service to Rice.
Sea Ports
Rice is 155 miles from the international seaport of Duluth, Minnesota.
Railroads
Railroad transportation in the Rice area is provided by Burlington Northern Railroad Burlington Northern has 22 freight trains traveling through Rice each day including 2 local freights. Rice is on the main line of Burlington Northern.
Rice is the northernmost destination of the planned Northstar Corridor, a commuter rail line is slated to run to and from the Twin Cities in 2003.
Community and Financial Support
Banks and Financial Institutions
Bremer Financial Corporation is a privately-held, $3.9 billion regional financial services company owned by the Otto Bremer Foundation and the 1,700 Bremer employees and directors. The company, founded in 1943 by Otto Bremer, is headquartered in St. Paul and provides a variety of banking, investment, trust, and insurance services in over 100 locations throughout Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin, including five convenient locations in the Rice area.
Bank Services
Retail Banking Services
Commercial Loans
Commercial Real Estate Loans
Small Business Administration (SBA) Loans
Residential Real Estate Loans
Personal Loans
Insurance Services
Trust Services
Alternate Investment Services provided through INVEST Financial Corporation
Other Lending Associations
Production Credit Association
Other Financing Tools
Local/County
Rice Revolving Loan Fund
Benton County Revolving Loan Fund
Tax Increment Financing
Minnesota Power & Light
Central Minnesota Initiative Fund
State
Grants
Federal
Farmers Home Administration
Rural Utilities Services Loan Program
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