Economic & Housing Town Hall Forum with Norm Coleman

Senator Norm Coleman will be hosting a Town Hall Forum on the economy and housing during the afternoon of Friday, Jan. 25th at Venture Computer Systems in Rochester. The forum will begin at 3:30 p.m. and run until 5 p.m.

The Senator will be joined by the Rochester Area Builders, local manufacturers, small businesses and labor representatives to discuss the state of the economy and housing in Southeastern Minnesota.

After several years of growth, the state economy has weakened during the past year due to the housing downturn and higher energy prices which in turn have hurt consumer confidence and spending. During the past year, the state’s unemployment rate has increased from 4.2 percent to 4.9 percent and the number of Minnesotans out of work has increased by 15 percent. Also during this time over 4,400 construction jobs and over 11,600 manufacturing jobs have been lost. And despite having one of the highest rates of homeownership in the nation, Minnesota currently ranks third in terms of subprime adjustable rate mortgages in foreclosure.

Speakers include, U.S. Senator Norm Coleman; John Eckhoff, President, Venture Computer Systems; Mike Paradise, President, Bigelow Enterprises; Duane Sauke, RE/MAX Rochester; and a member of Rochester Carpenter Local 1382.

The event is free and open to the public.

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