Marshall....... (Minneapolis, Plymouth, Woodbury: rent, how much, hotel)

[Cruz Azul Guy]

Originally Posted by kazoopilot

There is a mall (which pretty much sucks, sorry) and several big-box stores like Shopko, Walmart and Menards, as well as a bunch of local, independently-owned shops. You can buy whatever you need in Marshall.

Originally Posted by kazoopilot

The mall has so much potential -- it's not some dump. There's a lot of empty space just sitting there that should be filled with stores. Many people would rather drive 90 minutes to Sioux Falls (no one goes to Mankato to shop [except me], even though it's basically the same distance) than shop in Marshall and try to promote stores coming here.

Dude, you just got done saying that you can buy whatever you need in Marshall, yet then you say that many people (including yourself) drive for 90 minutes to Sioux Falls or Mankato to shop...how does that make any sense?

[Cruz Azul Guy]

Originally Posted by golfgal

One of US Bank's larger (and most profitable) divisions is located in Marshall. They have a very low turnover rate so that is probably why they don't have many job openings. They are the second or third largest employer in Marshall. Unemployment rate in Marshall hovers in the 3% range so it is a good place to work. There is more to life then your little neighborhood in Minneapolis.

Would it be fair to say that the low turnover rate would be partially due to the fact that there aren't any other similar employment options in the area? It would probably require them to move their family out of the area.

[northstar22]

I misspoke. You can buy whatever you need in Marshall, but some people do go out of town because it's "convenient" to go to big boxes and malls. If I happen to be in Mankato to visit friends, I may stop at a store there (that we don't have in Marshall). You don't need to leave Marshall to shop, most people just don't want to do the legwork of going to small, locally-owned shops.

[northstar22]

Slig, why do you have to keep bashing small towns? I don't go around bashing Minneapolis. To each his own.

It just seems like so many Twin Cities snobs think anything in MN outside of the 494 loop doesn't matter. Minnesota is a huge, diverse state, and 95% of it doesn't involve Minneapolis or St. Paul.

[knke0204]

The Twin Cities aren't evil because there are a lot of things to do there.

[northstar22]

I never said the Twin Cities were evil. I said they were 5% of Minnesota (in land area, not pop.) and that there's so much more to the state than MSP. Really, the Cities are a very, very small part of Minnesota, and, in my opinion, one of the least interesting parts of the state. Minnesota has (in my opinion) many more interesting areas, like the vast western prairies, the Boundary Waters or the North Shore.

[Radical_Car]

As far as shopping, restaurants, and everything from like concerts to Twins Games, the Cities is best in that way. As far as stuff like hunting, fishing, and outdoor activities in general the best places for that kind of stuff isn't in the Cities.
For me, the cities are very interesting, I love architecture and big buildings and love lots of different varieties of neighborhoods to drive through. I also love highways and driving down them and looking at stuff.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by Slig

Would it be fair to say that the low turnover rate would be partially due to the fact that there aren't any other similar employment options in the area? It would probably require them to move their family out of the area.

No, it would not be fair to say that, there are many job opportunities with several different employers in Marshall and the immediate surrounding area.

[Cruz Azul Guy]

Originally Posted by golfgal

No, it would not be fair to say that, there are many job opportunities with several different employers in Marshall and the immediate surrounding area.

I'm sure there are other employment opportunities there but it isn't like somebody with a specialized finance position with US Bank is going to find a relevant position with another company in town. Going to a competitor like Wells Fargo, Chase, etc. would most likely involve him/her relocating unless telecommuting was an option. I'm saying that is likely contributing to a low turnover rate. Meanwhile somebody with that same position in a large metropolitan area will have all kinds of competitors in town that they could jump to if they get a better offer or want to try a new environment. Yes, low-turnover can be a good indicator that it's a good place to work but I don't think it always tells the whole story. When the economy is really good and other opportunites are available turnover for alot of companies often increases as increased competition from other companies causes the retention of talent to be more difficult.

Otherwise, if you're referring to the possibility that Joe Blow from U.S. Bank in Marshall could ditch his financial sector job for a desk job with Schwann's or to be a waiter at Mariachi Fiesta Mexican restaurant...I guess that's a possibility but it's probably not very likely. Hence, low turnover.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by Slig

I'm sure there are other employment opportunities there but it isn't like somebody with a specialized finance position with US Bank is going to find a relevant position with another company in town. Going to a competitor like Wells Fargo, Chase, etc. would most likely involve him/her relocating unless telecommuting was an option. I'm saying that is likely contributing to a low turnover rate. Meanwhile somebody with that same position in a large metropolitan area will have all kinds of competitors in town that they could jump to if they get a better offer or want to try a new environment. Yes, low-turnover can be a good indicator that it's a good place to work but I don't think it always tells the whole story. When the economy is really good and other opportunites are available turnover for alot of companies often increases as increased competition from other companies causes the retention of talent to be more difficult.

Otherwise, if you're referring to the possibility that Joe Blow from U.S. Bank in Marshall could ditch his financial sector job for a desk job with Schwann's or to be a waiter at Mariachi Fiesta Mexican restaurant...I guess that's a possibility but it's probably not very likely. Hence, low turnover.

Actually, the US Bank division in Marshall was bought from Schwans. Schwans does still have many positions that people at US Bank could easily do and vice versa. Also, there are financial positions at the Hospital, University, all of the banks and several other companies around town. There are also very few "specialized" financial jobs at US Bank in any town, even at headquarters. Low turnover results from great management making it a good place to work and people loving where they live.