The vast majority of municipally owned liquors stores in Minnesota are in the smaller towns and cities of Greater Minnesota. So it is not unusual that 40 of the 44 stores listed in a recent state auditor’s report as losing money in 2006 were Greater Minnesota city-owned liquor stores.

A declining customer base and hard economic times are making it difficult for small-town municipals to survive. Overall, seven cities got out of the liquor-selling business in 2006, even while total sales increased for a record 11th consecutive year to $281.2 million.

3M’s announcement last week that it plans to build a new facility in Singapore to produce coatings for film-based products will not affect the company’s Hutchinson manufacturing plant.

“We don’t anticipate any impact on our facility,” Hutchinson site director Mike Retterath said Tuesday.

Julie Elder can now look out across the hustle and bustle of Hutchinson’s Main Street and see the peaceful, green space of Library Square whenever she gets a moment between customers.

Elder recently moved her Urban Hair Studio from a basement site in the 100 block of Third Avenue Southeast to the former downtown Coffee Company building at 18 Main St. S. She remodeled the former coffee shop with new colors, lighting and flooring.

In addition to her own customers, Elder rents chairs to three other self-employed stylists. A massage therapist also rents the back room.

Hutchinson Technology Incorporated today (Tuesday) reported a net loss of $6.2 million, or $0.25 per share, on net sales of $143.8 million for its fiscal second quarter, which ended March 30.

The net loss included a charge of approximately $900,000, or three cents per share, related to an increase in the valuation allowances on certain deferred tax assets. In the comparable fiscal 2007 period, the company reported a net loss of $3.6 million, or 14 cents per share, on net sales of $170.7 million.

3M announced its intent to build a new facility in Singapore to produce coatings for film-based products used in commercial, electronic and automotive applications. By establishing a local film coating center of excellence, the facility will help the company better serve the Asia market and support efforts to accelerate growth.

High energy costs, including for gasoline and diesel fuel, are starting to play a large role in this country’s economic downturn.

With gasoline prices edging toward $3.50 in the Hutchinson area, and diesel well over $4 per gallon, shoppers are shuffling their budgets. More and more of their resources are being diverted to the gas pump. How can a retailer draw them in?

Many retailers faced with a slowing economy they continue to do what already makes them successful.

“Customer service. That sums it up,” said Bruce Christianson, owner of Carly’s Shoes in downtown Hutchinson since 1988. “That has always been my motto — customer service, customer service. Whatever you do in good times emphasize even more.”

That leads to another foundation of small business — customer loyalty, added Lee Gruenhagen, co-owner of the Little Country Store, located across Main Street from Christianson’s shop.

3M’s international subsidiaries helped the company increase revenues by 8.9 percent during its most recent fiscal quarter.

On Thursday it reported first-quarter sales of $6.5 billion. Net income was $988 million, or $1.38 per share, versus $1.4 billion, or $1.85 per share during the first quarter of 2007.

The company operates its largest North American plant in Hutchinson, where it employs approximately 1,500 workers.