This report summarizes the state of the business sector in Northfield, Minnesota during roughly the last quarter of fiscal year 2008 and the first quarter of 2009.  We undertook this project through a Public Sociology course taught at Carleton College, and our methods involve two distinct dimensions: analysis of existing national, state, county, and city economic data and qualitative interviews documenting the perceptions of local business leaders. 

The goals of this work are to present a holistic view of Northfield businesses back to individual leaders and organizations, offer recommendations for future development and policy, and create a database of academic civic engagement programs to continue mutually beneficial interaction between the colleges and the community.