(St. Peter, MN) -- Businesses and community leaders generally believe rural Minnesota has lost influence in decisions made in government and the private sector -- that's the conclusion of a just-released survey by Saint-Peter-based Center for Rural Policy and Development. Executive Director Brad Finstad says there's no one voice that's speaking for rural Minnesota. Finstad says rural communities need to take the blinders off and use a more statewide approach when working on issues.