A new report says Operation Metro Surge hurt Twin Cities businesses and workers this past winter.
At Luro Boots in Bloomington, the store said business dropped sharply during the winter months as Operation Metro Surge was underway.
“It was outrageous. We had days where we had no customers. We had to take loans out,” said store manager Leslie Diaz.
A new report from Northstar Policy Action said many businesses and employees across the Twin Cities saw similar losses. The nonprofit used Minnesota data for January, February, and March 2026 and focused on the leisure and hospitality sector.
The report claimed Operation Metro Surge cost Minnesota 4,600 jobs, 3.8 million working hours, and $71 million in lost wages during those three months.
“When people lose wages, they don’t have them to spend in other places, and that ripples through the economy,” Aaron Rosenthal with NorthStar Policy Action said.
Northstar Policy Action advocates for working Minnesotans, so it has an agenda with this report. Rosenthal said the goal is to highlight the need for help.
“To be honest, we are hoping there is any relief package. We did not see relief in the 2026 legislative session,” Rosenthal said.
Back at Luro Boots, the store said it is starting to see signs of improvement. Summer is typically its busiest month.
“I am seeing signs. Hopefully, it will be better in the summer, if the weather allows,” said Diaz.
A Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) spokesperson told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS the state’s job data also showed a drop in January, February and March, with a rebound starting in April.
