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PAUL, Minn. – Growing monopoly power and anticompetitive conduct across the economy are key reasons rural Minnesota is losing small businesses, according to information gathered at Small Business Roundtables held throughout the state by Minnesota Farmers Union Foundation.
Roundtable discussions with independent business owners, lenders, economic development professionals, farmers and community partners were held in seven Minnesota communities (Elko, Fergus Falls, Little Falls, New London, St. Cloud, Rochester and Winona) from late 2025 until August 2026.
A variety of businesses participated in the roundtables, representing agriculture, pharmacy, manufacturing, banking, grocery, retail and tourism. The key themes identified in these discussions include:
- Consolidation and anticompetitive conduct are affecting independent businesses across industries.
- Independent businesses provide essential community services.
- Business succession is an increasing concern.
- The erosion of local ownership is a shared challenge.
“Farmers Union has long known that corporate monopolies squeeze family farmers and ranchers in Minnesota, but these Small Business Roundtables have highlighted the way consolidation ripples across communities, impacting local businesses and their consumers,” said MFUF President Gary Wertish. “Creating a fairer and more democratic economy will require ensuring that our small businesses can compete and thrive.”
“Throughout these roundtables small businesses have identified anticompetitive business practices, rising costs, industry consolidation, limited supplier competition and vertical integration as presenting critical barriers to success,” said report co-author Justin Stofferahn, MFUF Antimonopoly Director. “The same anticompetitive business practices that are limiting entrepreneurship are also driving up costs on Minnesotans and exacerbating our state’s cost of living crisis.”
An interim report summarizing the feedback is available on the MFUF website at https://mfufoundation.org/mfuf-small-business-roundtables-report/.
MFUF will continue to convene Small Business Roundtables to learn more about the challenges consolidation and anticompetitive conduct are creating. A final report will be published following the conclusion of those additional roundtables.
Minnesota Farmers Union Foundation is a 501(c)3 that was established in 1958.
Minnesota Farmers Union Foundation
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