Over 20 cities recognized as telecommuter-friendly communities, Walz declares ‘Telecommuter Forward!’ Day

Gov. Tim Walz on Friday issued a proclamation congratulating 23 cities, counties and a township across Minnesota as telecommuter-friendly communities.

Walz has also declared Aug. 7, 2020, as "Telecommuter Forward!" day in the state of Minnesota.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has made clear how important it is for the state to support telecommuting capabilities,” said Walz. “This initiative will help ensure options for remote work expand in our state, improving the quality of life for employees and encouraging economic vitality in communities throughout Minnesota.”

The number of workers teleworking was already increasing before the pandemic but jumped to nearly 45% in recent months. Data suggests that more than one million Minnesotans are now doing at least some work remotely, accounting for well over one-third of Minnesota’s labor force.

“As Minnesotans have balanced work, school, and life from their kitchen tables, the need for telecommuter-friendly cities is more apparent than ever,” said Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan. “The collaboration and support that telecommuter-friendly communities offer are critical to providing the flexibility Minnesotans need in the modern workplace.”

“We know that more Minnesotans than ever before are telecommuting for work,” said Steve Grove, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). “As we help Minnesota’s economy recover from the pandemic, telecommuter-friendly policies add new opportunities for civic engagement and collaboration among Minnesota’s businesses, entrepreneurs and communities.”

The Minnesota State Legislature passed Telecommuter Forward! certification in 2019 and Walz signed it into law.

According to the release, under the law, communities must adopt a model resolution that includes a statement of support for telecommuting and a single point of contact for coordinating telecommuting opportunities within their community. Minnesota communities that wish to become a Telecommuter Forward! community can find the resolution template from the Office of Broadband Development on DEED’s website.

The first group of communities certified as telecommuter-friendly are:

• Cities:
  • Albany
  • Balaton
  • Big Lake
  • Bigfork
  • Halstad
  • Lake Benton
  • Lake Crystal
  • Madelia
  • Monticello
  • North Branch
  • Preston
  • Spring Grove
  • Warren
  • Windom
• Counties:
  • Beltrami
  • Big Stone
  • Chisago
  • Cook
  • Lincoln
  • Sherburne
  • Swift
  • Martin
• Township:
  • Greenvale

For more information regarding the telecommuter-friendly communities, click here.