$60 Billion ALANA Economy in Minnesota in Crisis

Bruce P. Corrie, PhD

The $60 billion ALANA economy in Minnesota is on the verge of collapse as the three crises – the pandemic, the economic downturn and increasingly overt racism – are all impacting this economy very negatively.

According to Minnesota DEED data more than 36 percent of the ALANA workforce claimed unemployment insurance and the latest unemployment rates show ALANA workers experiencing a much higher unemployment than other Minnesotans.

ALANA businesses are also hit hard because they tend to be in sectors hit most vulnerable during the pandemic. To matters worse, the destruction following the civil unrest caused a lot of damage to ALANA businesses. Existing policy interventions have not reached ALANA businesses effectively.

ALANA youth in college and school are also hit hard with school closures, digital learning and economic and health vulnerability – all factors that will deepen the achievement gap.

ALANA communities are also very negatively impacted by the pandemic – a fact reflected in racial disparities on health outcomes.

In this context – what should policy makers do?

First – do no harm. Do not impose further restrictions on the very vulnerable ALANA businesses, workers and youth.

Second – immediately stabilize the declining economic trends in business, workforce and youth through targeted interventions.

Third – in collaboration with the community develop long term economic plans to grow the ALANA economy.