Northeast Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin,
on the western tip of Lake Superior, offer
outstanding prospects for growth-oriented
businesses. Although the bustling international
seaway port of Duluth-Superior, commonly referred to as the Twin Ports,
forms the hub of economic activity in this region, there are dozens
of other interrelating communities throughout the
area with unique qualities and
distinct competitive advantages.
(Regional Profile—PDF format)
Quick Facts
- Regional population of about 274,000
- International seaport and airport access
- Productive, loyal workforce
- Competitively-priced, reliable power
- Superb quality of life
Competitive Wages and Low Turnover Rate
Education
- 91.9% high school graduates (age 25 and above)
- 32.7% bachelor degree or higher (age 25 and above)
- 2004 and 2005 ACT scores surpassed state and national averages
Colleges & Universities
(Higher Education Directory—PDF format)
- 27,300 college students in the region
- Two universities, one with a medical school
- Two private colleges
- Eleven community colleges
Health Care
- 18 hospitals in region
- Two world-class health systems (St. Luke’s and SMDC)
Affordable Housing and Other Statistics
- Average selling price: $166,600
- Median selling price: $142,000
- Average monthly rent: $634
- Cost of living index: 102-103
- Northeast Minnesota has the lowest crime rate in the state
Infrastructure
- Competitively priced electric rates
- High speed telecom, including data network, fiber optics, large bandwidth, and SONET ring redundancy
- Natural and propane gas
- Water, water, water...