Exports are one of few economic bright spots in Minn.

Perhaps a little good news won’t kill us. Says a news release from the Department of Employment and Economic Development:

Manufactured exports set another record in the third quarter of 2008, growing 8.6 percent from the same period a year ago to $4.5 billion. It was the second straight quarter that state manufacturers broke the record for export sales.

So far this year, Minnesota exports have grown 9.5 percent to $13.1 billion. The state is on pace to break last year’s export record of $16.2 billion

Computers and electronics are the #1 export. Canada is the state’s biggest trade partner.