Frequently Asked Questions

APEX is a member-driven, private-sector led, 501(c)(6) non-profit dedicated to attracting, expanding and retaining businesses in northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin.

APEX serves the seven-county Arrowhead Region of northeast Minnesota (Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake and St. Louis), as well as Douglas and Bayfield Counties in Wisconsin.

APEX focuses its business retention, expansion and attraction initiatives on those industries which have long been the backbone of the Northland economy. These include natural resource-based industries like mining and wood products, and skilled trades such as heavy manufacturing, precision machining, information technology, healthcare, backroom operations and more. In recent years, we have also worked support a growing cluster of renewable energy/biofuels companies and aircraft/aerospace manufacturing operations.

Although APEX typically does not target hospitality, tourism or retail industries, we do occasionally engage in certain strategic projects which promise to drive major investments in the region.

Well, we don’t necessarily know that you should, but we will certainly provide the information and resources you need to answer that question.Does the success of your business depend on a loyal, well educated workforce with competitive wage rates and high productivity ratings? Do you require access to a multi-modal transportation network with an international airport, international seaport and four major railway systems? Does your business depend on abundant, moderately priced natural resources like water, timber and minerals? Do you wish to benefit from 13 post-secondary educational institutions, competitively-priced electric utility rates, and an unparalleled quality of life?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then the region of northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin is the right place for your business and APEX is prepared to connect you with the right site, the right people and the right resources to ensure for the long-term success and profitability of your business.

APEX is working hard behind the scenes every day to support the success of your business. Together with our members and economic development partners, we work to foster an innovative, highly competitive business environment in northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin where your company can thrive. We don’t chase headlines or fight to win elections, so you may not always know what we’re up to, but we’re out there and we’re working for you.

To learn more about how APEX can go further in support of your business, or if you have a specific need or request, please contact Rob West today.

APEX is a membership-driven non-profit which derives its primary operational and financial support from over 65 of the region’s leading companies, foundations and academic partners. Our members pay annual dues to support the work we do, and in return, they are kept up-to-date on the initiatives and new opportunities we’re engaged with.

Any private-sector employer in the APEX service territory is eligible for an APEX membership. If you would like to see northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin thrive, we urge you to join your local chamber of commerce, support your county-level economic development professionals, and contact Rob West to discuss the many opportunities an APEX membership will support the success of your business.

The APEX Strategic Resource Group (SRG) is the consulting arm of APEX, which we can leverage in support of specific projects outside the scope of our non-profit economic development work. As a wholly-owned, for-profit subsidiary of APEX, SRG is staffed by some of the best executive-level talent in the Northland and offers a broad array of consulting services for client companies, including: new market development, distribution and channel strategies, pricing strategies, strategic planning, corporate governance, finance, operations management, succession planning, acquisition of capital and credit, merger and acquisition support, and more.