The Regional Business Climate
APEX investor-members are focused on growth. Their successes and achievements have a positive impact on the region. Browse recent headlines to get a sense of how investor-members are impacting, and demonstrating their commitment, to the region.
Maurices President and CEO George Goldfarb Receives Minnesota Distinction
Friday, January 03, 2020
George Goldfarb, President and CEO of maurices, was an honoree at this year’s “TCB 100 People to Know,” an annual list of prominent and emerging business and community leaders to watch in the year ahead. The list is created by Twin Cities Business and appears in the December issue of the magazine.
Individuals selected for the TCB100, are chosen by TCB editors and correspondents for their thought leadership, influence and the likeliness that they will drive change in the year ahead.
Goldfarb and the other selected recipients were honored at a reception and networking event in Minneapolis on December 17, 2019.
Announcement originall...
ALLETE Clean Energy’s newest wind facility goes online
Tuesday, December 31, 2019
ALLETE Clean Energy announced its Glen Ullin Energy Center 40 miles west of Bismarck is now online and producing wind power for Xcel Energy customers in the Upper Midwest.
The center is a 106-megawatt wind facility that produces enough electricity to power about 55,650 homes from its forty-three General Electric turbines. It will employ about 10 people during operation.
Glen Ullin Energy Center is the third North Dakota wind expansion project developed and built by ALLETE Clean Energy, and the first it will own and operate. It also developed the 107.5-megawatt Thunder Spirit wind farm near Hettinger and sold it to Montana-Dakota Utilities in 2015. ALLETE Clea...
National Bank of Commerce announces completion of Republic Bank merger
Tuesday, December 31, 2019
The process began in early July, with NBC submitting a merger proposal to the Federal Reserve and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) for federal regulatory approval. Approval was granted on September 17 and officially closed on October 25. At that point, NBC began the process of converting Republic Bank’s accounts, branches and systems into theirs, all while keeping their customers and community informed of the progress. As of today (Dec. 9), the process is complete.
National Bank of Commerce now operates 12 local branches across northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin, including six former Republic Bank branches tha...
Enbridge, Minnesota unions sign labor agreement for Line 3 project
Thursday, December 12, 2019
ST. PAUL — Line 3 oil pipeline owner Enbridge on Tuesday, Dec. 3, inked a labor agreement that company officials estimate will create around 2,000 jobs for Minnesota trade workers.
The planned replacement of pipeline segments that run through the state is projected to require a construction workforce of about 4,200. With the agreement now in place, the entirety of that contingent will be backed by unions and around half of it will be made up of local laborers.
To read the full article please visit Duluth News Tribune.
Northland Foundation awards $90,000 in grants to 6 child care projects in the region
Tuesday, December 10, 2019
DEED funds support child care start-ups and expansions in Cohasset, Duluth, Eveleth, Grand Rapids, and Littlefork.
Northeast MN - An $85,000 Child Care Economic Development Grant from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), along with $5,000 from the Northland Foundation's grant funds, has been distributed as grant awards to five new child care entities and one expanding child care in northeastern Minnesota.
To read the full press release please visit Business North.
Pro-industry advocates alter public discourse
Tuesday, December 03, 2019
Critics were winning the public communication battle over two projects of vital importance to economic development in the state.
Supporters, however, of copper/nickel/precious metals production at the proposed PolyMet facility on the Iron Range and also of rebuilding an Enbridge oil pipeline, believed there was solid public enthusiasm for those ventures.
But opponents were good at emotionally and relentlessly saying the projects were not safe and would damage the environment. Their one-sided arguments, often based on questionable information, needed to be countered.
Jobs for Minnesotans was formed in 2012 to do just that. And the group has responded with gusto.
To read the ful...
Drilling by PolyMet reveals additional minerals
Monday, December 02, 2019
Poly Met Mining announced Tuesday that a drilling update has revealed its land holdings contain more minerals than previously revealed.
Mineral Resources statements from 2018 and 2019 indicate proven and probable reserves increased by 14 percent to 290 million tons while measured and indicated resources increased by 22 percent to 795 million tons.
To read the full article please visit Business North.
St. Scholastica alum opens school back home to better serve marginalized children in Tanzania
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
After graduating from the College of St. Scholastica with an undergraduate and a master's degree, both in education, Sister Gaudensia Mwanyika returned to her home country of Tanzania to open a school aimed at helping marginalized children succeed.
The idea to do so came to her during her seven years of living in Duluth. It was here that she noticed the ways in which schools can care for students with disabilities and give them the support they need to succeed.
"I went to other schools just to watch what the special ed. teachers do," said Mwanyika, who taught for four years i...
LSC Raises Awareness about Cybersecurity Careers
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
Lake Superior College held a workshop Friday to increase awareness about the many jobs available in the cybersecurity field.
The event was free and open to anyone. The U.S. Department of Defense sponsored the workshop which was led the LSC Computer Information Systems department.
CSI instructor Vickie McLain said, “Unfortunately, right now, there is a huge need for cyber security all over the world. And there’s no way that we can even catch up to the amount of people that we need.”
To read more and view the news coverage please visit WDIO.
Companies Show Superior High Students Manufacturing Careers
Thursday, November 21, 2019
SUPERIOR, Wis.- Five companies and Lake Superior College stopped by Superior High School to talk to students about manufacturing careers.
This, at a time when the industry is also dealing with an aging labor force.
Students stopped by each company’s table to learn about the different types of positions within those companies.
According to the school’s Transition Coordinator, many of these jobs students have never heard of before.
“A lot of students don’t even know what companies are in the area,” Shawna Anderson said. “They drive by and they may see the facility they may see the building but they don’t necessarily know wha...
Maurices reports sales increase last quarter, surpassing goals
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Maurices reported a 7% increase in sales last quarter compared to the same quarter last year.
The sales and profits surpassed goals set for the three-month quarter that ended Nov. 2, according to a Maurices news release. The profits follow OpCapita LLP’s purchase of the Duluth-based clothing retailer earlier this year.
It also reported "solid gains" in margin, operating income and earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization.
To read the full article please visit Duluth News Tribune.
Maurices creating new IT positions to expand online presence
Friday, November 15, 2019
Maurices is looking to increase its online presence by creating several new information technology jobs.
The 20 new positions — a number that will likely grow — will all be based at the retailer's Duluth headquarters. Those who are interested in a data architecture, integration, project management, data analysis or operations job are invited to an open house on Wednesday from noon to 3 p.m. at 425 W. Superior St.
Online sales "is sort of the wave (of) the future and so much of our business is moving online," said Sue Ross, Maurices' senior vice president, chief of human resources and communication...
National Bank of Commerce teams up with Where’s Duke? and Project Joy to help kids this holiday season
Thursday, November 14, 2019
National Bank of Commerce (NBC), is the area’s largest, locally-owned, full-service community bank. It’s important for NBC to give back to the communities in which we serve. With the holidays upon us many are thinking of shopping for gifts, travel and time with family. For some, this isn’t the case as many children in our area don’t have sufficient food on the weekends.
Project Joy is a non-profit organization that provides healthy meals to kids on the weekends. The food is packed in backpacks and delivered to those in need on Fridays. The backpack contains two breakfasts, two snacks and tw...
In Duluth, New College Presidents are Old Friends
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
Duluth - After decades of crossing paths in Minnesota higher education, it may have seemed Patricia Rogers and Barbara McDonald were bound for different worlds when they took on their new roles here this year--McDonald as president of the private, four-year College of St. Scholastica and Rogers as president of two-year Lake Superior College.
Yet while it seems an unlikely partnership on paper, their futures are more intertwined than ever.
"Between the institutions, we could really do a lot together and really think about how to create that workforce for the future," McDonald said.
To read the full article please visit the Sta...
UMD’s Labovitz School of Business and Economics adds sales major
Tuesday, November 12, 2019
The business industry is calling for more graduates with specific professional sales experience, but less than 100 colleges in the U.S. have sales programs or courses, according to Harvard Business Review.
Therefore, to meet the growing industry need for professional sales graduates, UMD’s Labovitz School of Business and Economics has added a professional sales major to its quality educational offerings. LSBE is the only public university in Minnesota to offer a bachelor’s degree in professional sales.
To read the full article please visit Howie's Blog.
NBC/Republic Bank merger becomes official
Friday, November 08, 2019
The merger between National Bank of Commerce (NBC) and Republic Bank was approved by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Reserve, and became official Friday. Both banks put their primary focus on commercial lending.
Natcom Bankshares, the Superior-based bank holding company that owns National Bank of Commerce, received federal permission to buy 49 percent of the voting shares of Republic Bancshares, Inc., which is the Duluth-based owner of Republic Bank, in December of 2017. The shares were acquired from Michael Paulucci, son of the late Jeno Paulucci, who founded Republic Bank.
To read the full article pleas...
PolyMet and Twin Metals say they’ll create thousands of jobs
Thursday, November 07, 2019
The promise of thousands of jobs from a boom in copper-nickel mining has won the new industry broad political support on the Iron Range. But where a rush in employment creates opportunity, it may also present a challenge.
The state is facing an escalating workforce shortage sparked by retiring baby boomers. There are more than 146,000 job vacancies in the state, including nearly 8,000 in northeast Minnesota, and industrial sectors of the economy such as manufacturing have not been spared from the labor crunch.
Workforce leaders and two companies that hope to build Minnesota’s first copper-nickel mines, PolyMet Mining and Twin Metal...
Duluth aircraft company Cirrus' new tech auto-lands the plane with the push of a button
Wednesday, November 06, 2019
Using new technology from Garmin, Cirrus' Vision Jets will turn into autonomous vehicles that land themselves — when passengers press one button. This makes Cirrus' jet one of the first general aircrafts with auto-land tech, according to a Wednesday news release from the company.
The dedicated button is located in the jet's cabin. When activated, the Safe Return tech takes control of the aircraft; analyzes terrain, weather and fuel levels; navigates to the nearest suitable airport for landing; communicates with its traffic control; lands; and then fully stops the aircraft — all without human help.
To read the full article please visi...
Northland Employer Spotlight: AAR Aircraft Services
Wednesday, November 06, 2019
Leading aviation services provider to commercial airlines and governments worldwide.
With a total global workforce of approximately 6,000 people around the world, Chicago-based AAR Aircraft Services operates service facilities in Illinois, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, Oklahoma — and Duluth, Minnesota.
The company has landed on the Forbes List of Best Midsize American Employers two years running, in part because they offer competitive pay and a full range of benefits including medical and dental insurance, company-paid holidays, generous time off, and more.
Furthermore, AAR invests in its employees’ professional growth, offering tuition reimbursement for continued education and certification, as well as employee mentorship programs. The company als...
Moose Lake's Mercy Hospital board votes to join Essentia
Tuesday, November 05, 2019
Mercy Hospital's board of directors voted Monday night to affiliate with Essentia Health, headquartered in Duluth. The hospital had issued a request for proposals earlier this fall, seeking a potential health partner to provide greater stability and bring improved resources to its operation in Moose Lake.
A release said that after examining the proposals it received in response, "Board members chose Essentia, citing its strongly aligned mission and values and Essentia's plan to grow primary- and specialty-care services in Moose Lake, along with hospital and emergency care."
To read the full article please visit the Duluth News Tribune.
Duluth port breaks record for wind turbine parts
Monday, November 04, 2019
Wind energy has already blown out a Duluth port record.
The sheer volume of wind turbine blades, towers and other parts moving through Duluth in 2019 surpassed record tonnage totals this week by reaching 306,000 freight tons.
"We have been watching with excitement as our wind cargo tonnage overtook our record 2008 tonnage," Duluth Seaway Port Authority Executive Director Deb DeLuca said. "This didn't happen by accident."
To read the full article please visit the Duluth News Tribune.
More passengers using Duluth International Airport
Monday, November 04, 2019
Passenger numbers grew by 15% in the second quarter of 2019 compared to 2018 at the Duluth International Airport, the Airport Authority announced.
This marks the second consecutive quarter of year-over-year growth this year, with passenger numbers growing by 5% in the first quarter of 2019 compared to 2018.
To read the full article please visit Business North.
LHB buys NREC in asset purchase
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
LHB, Inc. and Natural Resources Engineering Company (NREC) announced the asset purchase of NREC. The acquisition was to offer expanded services to pipeline, industrial and commercial clients, LHB said in an Oct. 15 news release The expanded firm will operate under the LHB brand.
NREC, founded in 1997, provides engineering and management services related to the transmission petroleum industry including regulatory compliance, pipeline and facilities construction, water resources, waste disposal, land development, and environmental compliance. Its services span from basic due diligence audits to multifaceted capacity expansion projects and comprehensive regulatory audits.
To read the full article please visit Business North.
Port's cargo handling hauls in award in Belgium
Monday, October 21, 2019
The port of Duluth hauled in worldwide acclaim on Tuesday.
Duluth Cargo Connect was selected 2019 Worldwide Port/Terminal Operator of the Year, in Antwerp, Belgium, by the publication "Heavy Lift and Project Forwarding International."
Duluth Cargo Connect beat out other finalist ports in places such as Denmark and Corpus Christi, Texas.
Jonathan Lamb and Deb DeLuca, leaders of their respective halves of Duluth Cargo Connect, and others from Duluth were scheduled to be in Belgium throughout the week, visiting existing clients and drumming up further business.
To read the full article please visit Duluth News Tribune.
Area developers expect medical expansion to spur business growth
Thursday, October 17, 2019
Essentia Health officials call the system’s $800 million Vision Northland expansion project, which formally got underway in September, Duluth’s largest-ever private investment. Coupled with medical neighbor St. Luke’s nearly $250 million phased campus redevelopment, which has also started, a more than $1 billion investment in health care facilities will transform Duluth’s eastern edge of downtown and the hillside into what is envisioned to be a flourishing, robust medical district.
This giant construction endeavor – set to be completed by the end of 2022 for Essentia and over the next five to seven years for St. Luke’s – has several area busines...
St. Scholastica to honor former president Bruce Stender
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
The College of St. Scholastica will host an event to rename one of its schools in honor of President Emeritus Dr. Bruce Stender and his family.
The college will celebrate the new name of the Stender School of Business and Technology at 4 p.m. Oct. 23 in the Mitchell Auditorium on campus. After a program in the auditorium, guests are invited to a reception, a plaque unveiling and tours of newly renovated SSBT classrooms on the third floor of Tower Hall.
To read the full article please visit Business North.
Lake Country Power dedicates Cohasset Service Center
Tuesday, October 15, 2019
Lake Country Power on Tuesday held a ribbon cutting ceremony at its Cohasset Service Center including guided tours. The event, open to co-op members and the public, took place at 26039 Bear Ridge Drive in Cohasset Industrial Park II, just off Highway 2.
Officials from Lake Country Power, HAWK Construction, Architectural Resources, Inc., and the City of Cohasset gave brief comments to mark the occasion.
To read the full article please visit Business North.
Lake Superior College to host Manufacturing Career Night
Tuesday, October 15, 2019
With strong demand in the Twin Ports for machinists, welders and computer-assisted designers in engineering, Lake Superior College will host a Manufacturing Career Night from 4:30-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23, at the school's downtown campus, 120 N. Second Ave. W.
To read more about this event please visit Duluth News Tribune.
Lakehead Constructors celebrates new Superior structure
Monday, October 14, 2019
Friends and associates of Lakehead Constructors Inc. on Thursday celebrated the completion of the company’s new $6.5 million facility in Superior.
On April 1, the 103-year-old firm broke ground on its new building, which is located in an industrial park at 3801 Winter Street. Work was completed in slightly less than five months, said Kirk Ilenda, the company’s director of business development.
To read the full article please visit Business North.
St. Luke's celebrates grand opening of Q Care Express Clinic at college
Friday, October 11, 2019
St. Luke’s on Sept. 27 celebrated the grand opening of a Q Care Express Clinic at Lake Superior College. Though on the LSC campus, it offers walk-in care for everyone.
“This is a great new option for students, and anyone who is in need of convenient access to health care,“ St. Luke’s President and CEO Kevin Nokels said. “We’re always looking for ways to better serve our community and collaborate with others to improve access to health care. We welcomed the opportunity to partner with Lake Superior College to bring medical services to their campus and look forward to working wit...
$16M student housing development near LSC moves ahead in Duluth
Thursday, October 10, 2019
Plans to build student housing next door to Lake Superior College took a step forward last week when the Duluth Economic Development Authority signed off on a proposed development agreement for a 100-unit apartment building.
LSC Flats LLC, an offshoot of Titanium Partners LLC, expects to invest at least $16 million in the building, which will offer two- to four-bedroom apartments for rent.
To read the full article please visit Duluth News Tribune.
Leadership Minnesota 2020
Thursday, October 10, 2019
The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Minnesota 2020 program kicked off in September with an exclusive look at Minnesota’s changing economy and the issues that will shape our state’s future.
Brian Hanson, APEX President and CEO, is part of the Leadership Minnesota 2020 cohort and recently traveled to Mankato, Minnesota for the first of five two-day sessions. These sessions focus on giving our state’s business leaders valuable first-hand experiences in the industries that support our economy. After a brief orientation about the program, participants explored the financial services industry at Taylor Corporation, receiving an exclusive tour from Taylor Corporation’s Executive Vice President...
September Board & Investor-Member Meeting Highlights
Thursday, October 10, 2019
On Thursday, September 5 at the Holiday Inn & Suites in downtown Duluth, APEX Board of Directors and investor-members had the opportunity to learn more about Essentia Health’s Vision Northland Initiative at their bi-monthly meeting. Mark Hayward, Senior Vice President of Operations at Essentia Health, presented project development updates and visuals regarding the $800 million project – which is the largest private investment in Duluth’s history.
The three-year construction project will completely transform the Essentia campus and Duluth’s Medical District. Investment in a new hospital bed tower, clinic space and surgical suites are the forefront of the project. The economic impac...
Sertich Reappointed to Port Authority
Wednesday, October 09, 2019
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz recently reappointed Tony Sertich to a second six-year term on the Duluth Seaway Port Authority Board of Commissioners.
Sertich, who currently serves as vice president of the board, was originally appointed by Gov. Mark Dayton in 2013. His reappointment term expires in 2025.
To read the full article please visit Business North.
Cirrus Aircraft co-founder tells story of growth, landing in Duluth on new show
Tuesday, October 08, 2019
Dale Klapmeier, co-founder of Duluth-based Cirrus Aircraft, shares his story in a new 41-minute show dedicated to industry-changing entrepreneurs.
The second episode of a program called “Airtime” debuted on YouTube this week and in it, Klapmeier reflects on the evolution of Cirrus, a company he and his brother, Alan, launched from a barn in Baraboo, Wis.
To read the full article and view the video, please visit Duluth News Tribune.
APEX's Matt Shermoen Receives 2019 Bob Ady Scholarship
Tuesday, October 01, 2019
COLUMBUS, OH, SEPTEMBER 30, 2019: The Mid-America Economic Development Council recently selected the 2019 recipients for the semi-annual Bob Ady Scholarship Program. The scholarship program is named in memory of Bob Ady, a champion for economic development in the U.S. and especially the Mid-America region.
This scholarship program is available for Mid-America Economic Development Council members and non-members. Applicants were evaluated based on their interest in economic development overall, as well as their interest in the Mid-America Economic Development Council organization. This year’s scholarship program is designed to assist with attendance to both of Mid-America EDC’s 2019 Conferences – the Bes...
Cermak Rhoades will merge with LHB
Tuesday, October 01, 2019
Two prominent Twin Cities architecture firms are coming together to create what they expect to be a residential design powerhouse.
Cermak Rhoades Architects, a 26-year-old company with a strong emphasis on housing design, is closing its St. Paul office and merging with the Minneapolis office of engineering and architecture firm LHB.
When the merger takes effect Tuesday, about 10 Cermak Rhoades employees will make the move to Minneapolis, roughly doubling the size of LHB’s Housing Studio, said Rick Carter, LHB’s CEO.
To read the full article please visit Finance-Commerce.com.
Essentia, community leaders celebrate start of Vision Northland
Tuesday, October 01, 2019
Ground was broken Wednesday on Essentia Health’s $800 million Vision Northland project.
Vision Northland represents promise for the future, said Dr. David Herman, allowing the health care system to meet their evolving needs at a state-of-the-art facility and with cutting-edge technology.
“This project is about much more than a building,” Dr. Herman told the crowd. “It’s a promise and a platform to provide the highest level of care, long into the future. It’s a catalyst for additional economic growth in our region,” he said.
To read the full article please visit Business North.
Cirrus announces aircraft developed for flight training
Monday, September 30, 2019
Cirrus Aircraft announced the TRAC Series, a purpose-built configuration of the SR Series line of aircraft developed specifically for flight training institutions.
The series includes tailored features such as rear seat push-to-talk functionality and a landing gear simulator aimed at increasing training productivity.
To read the full article please visit Business North.
St. Luke’s Hospice earns designation for veterans' care
Monday, September 30, 2019
Luke’s Hospice has been awarded the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s We Honor Veterans Level Two Certificate for the care it provides veterans.
Twenty-five percent of all deaths in the United States are veterans. That’s 1,800 people a day; more than 680,000 veterans every year. These heroic Americans deserve recognition for their military service– particularly at the end of life’s journey. That is why the pioneering campaign of We Honor Veterans was created for hospice and palliative care providers.
To read the full article please visit Business North.
AAR wins Parts Supply contract with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Aero Engines (MHIAEL), largest commercial deal in Japan to date
Tuesday, September 24, 2019
WOOD DALE, Illinois — AAR (NYSE: AIR), a leading provider of aviation services to airlines and governments worldwide, signed its largest commercial deal in Japan to date, a multimillion dollar Parts Supply agreement with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Aero Engines, Ltd. (MHIAEL). AAR will begin work immediately as the parts supplier for MHIAEL’s PW4000 engine maintenance with international commercial airlines.
“MHIAEL is a key player in the Japanese and global aviation market, and this agreement is AAR’s first Parts Supply deal with an engine MRO company in the region — and our largest contract in Japan,” said Sal Marino, AAR SVP o...
Essentia Health unveils orthopedic urgent care
Tuesday, September 24, 2019
Essentia Health has established an urgent care dedicated solely to orthopedic injuries.
The Essentia Health-Orthopedic Urgent Care is open at 1301 Miller Trunk Hwy, directly across from the Miller Hill Mall. It offers a schedule based on when orthopedic injuries are most likely to occur. The facility operates from 3-8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays, Essentia said in a Monday announcement.
It offers immediate treatment for sprains, strains and broken bones. No appointments are needed.
To read the full article please visit Business North.
Duluth airport leaders look to future as 20-year master plan gets underway
Monday, September 23, 2019
The Duluth International Airport recently started work on its master plan, which will guide its work for the next 20 years.
Ahead of its public open house on Tuesday, Sept. 17, the News Tribune sat down with Executive Director Tom Werner, SEH Airport Planner Kaci Nowicki and SEH Graduate Airport Planner Matt Stewart to discuss the plan and the airport’s future.
To read the full interview please visit Duluth News Tribune.
Northland Foundation to acquire UMD’s small business center
Saturday, September 14, 2019
The Northland Foundation will take over as host of the University of Minnesota Duluth's small business center starting next month.
In mid-October, the foundation will acquire the Northeastern Minnesota Small Business Development Center, with hopes of expanding the nonprofit’s business endeavors in the community.
While the new acquisition won’t change much about the center that’s currently operated by UMD’s Center for Economic Development in Duluth's Technology Village, the foundation is aiming to expand its work and add new community partnerships, said Tony Sertich, president of the Northland Foundation.
“We see it as a natural extension of the work that we currently do. … One o...
New LSC head cites students’ career prep, connections to business, industry as priorities
Thursday, September 12, 2019
By ANGELO GENTILE
For Business North
As Lake Superior College students return to classes this month, they are finding a new president at the helm of the community and technical college that overlooks the big lake and the St. Louis River Bay on Trinity Road in Duluth.
Patricia Rogers, who officially started July 1, said in an August interview with Business North that she has been “hitting the ground listening” as she seeks to “build on an already high-level of success.”
“Our college is in great shape. It is already very connected to the community, and especially to business and industry, and it’s alread...
APi being acquired by J2 Acquisition Ltd.
Monday, September 09, 2019
APi Group, Inc. – owner of the Jamar Co., Northland Constructors and United Piping in Duluth – has agreed to be purchased by J2 Acquisition Limited, an international provider of commercial life safety products and industrial specialty services. The transaction is valued at $2.9 billion.
J2 expects to list its shares on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol APG.
To read the full article please visit Business North.
Kraus-Anderson Preps for $20M Upscale Apartments in St. Paul
Tuesday, September 03, 2019
Kraus-Anderson Development today announced that it has begun tearing down a vacant office building in St. Paul to make way for a 92-unit upscale apartment building.
The firm is redeveloping the former Capital Professional Office Building at 590 Park Street in St. Paul’s Capitol Heights neighborhood. Kraus-Anderson built the original structure in the 1960s, says senior vice president Matt Alexander.
To read the full article please visit Twin Cities Business.
Essentia Wellness Center Nears Completion
Saturday, August 31, 2019
Hermantown’s brand-new Essentia Wellness Center will open this October.
The new 72,000 square foot, $26 million facility (which is scheduled to open October 15th) will fill a number of voids not only for the Hermantown community, but the entire Twin Port’s Community.
Within the new facility visitors will find a daycare, an aquatic center, a YMCA workout center, community rooms, an indoor walking track, an Essentia Clinic Center which will offer lifestyle and physical therapy services along with a Yellow Bike Coffee shop.
To read the full article please visit The Development Tracker.
Work on Essentia's $800 million Vision Northland in Duluth set to start in September
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
The first step in constructing Essentia Health's Vision Northland — an $800 million development in downtown Duluth — is slated to start Monday, Sept. 9.
The three-year project will bring a new 14-story hospital bed tower, larger surgical suites and clinic space, as well as road closures and restricted access to building entrances when construction gets underway, according to a news release from Essentia.
The development will help Essentia better serve its patients and prepare the health care system for future changes in the industry, Mark Hayward, Essentia's senior vice president of operations, said in an interview.
To read the full article pleas...
St. Luke's new leader is prepared for complex healthcare challenge
Friday, August 16, 2019
Kevin Nokels has courted one of the biggest challenges faced by today’s healthcare executives: Leading a smaller independent hospital and clinic system. But that’s not his only challenge. The new president and CEO of St. Luke’s began his new job at a time when there’s great uncertainty about how healthcare providers will be reimbursed for the services they provide. Almost every candidate for U.S. president has a different plan for how medical services should be funded.
“The challenge that we have in such a volatile and uncertain payment environment is how to plan ahead – how to act on these thing...
First look at Duluth airport’s master plan
Thursday, August 15, 2019
Duluth International Airport recently released the first glimpse of its 20-year master plan.
The plan, called Vision 2040, will study and map what projects the airport undertakes over the next 20 years, according to material on the airport's website. Public feedback and committees will influence what the airport decides to study, as well as what the airport plans to work on in the short-, mid- and long-term.
“The main goal of a Master Plan is to provide the framework necessary to guide future development that will cost-effectively satisfy aviation demand, while considering potential environmental and socioeconomic impacts,” according to a FAQ pag...
ALLETE Clean Energy Celebrates Record-setting Construction Year during American Wind Week
Tuesday, August 13, 2019
ALLETE Clean Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary of ALLETE (NYSE: ALE), is in the middle of its biggest wind energy construction year as it celebrates this week’s American Wind Week.
ALLETE Clean Energy is poised to nearly double its carbon-free wind capacity to more than 1,000 megawatts with three new wind farms under construction in 2019 and 2020. Its renewable wind projects will support the economies of local, rural communities in seven states with jobs, taxes, donations and volunteer activities.
New projects include the Diamond Spring wind site in Oklahoma that will sell renewable wind power to Walmart, Starbucks and Smithfield Foods...
Northland Foundation awards 42 grants, including more than $50,000 for child care expansion
Monday, August 12, 2019
Northeast Minnesota – During the second quarter of 2019, the Northland Foundation awarded 42 grants totaling $389,835. Five grants of $10,000 were made to increase the supply of child care openings in the region. The five child care grants were awarded to help with the start-up four new programs that will be located in Eveleth, Aitkin, Duluth, and Hermantown, and to help expand an existing child care program located in Virginia. The $50,000 in funding for these grants was provided by the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
To read the full article please visit Business North.
Neela Mollgaard Chosen to Lead New State Economic Development Initiative
Thursday, August 08, 2019
Neela Mollgaard has been named executive director of Launch Minnesota, the state’s latest initiative aimed at fostering entrepreneurialism. She’ll take the reins August 26.
The program was developed, in part, during the 2019 legislative session through a collaboration between the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and a bipartisan group of lawmakers.
Launch Minnesota brings private businesses and nonprofits together to provide financial incentives, training, and grants to individuals—especially women, veterans, and people of color—who want to start companies in technology sectors including aerospace, agriculture, nanotechnology, and medical devices.
To read the full article please visit Twin Cities Business.
Lehtinen survives plane crash thanks to Cirrus parachute system, Canadian rescuers
Monday, August 05, 2019
Matt Lehtinen of Grand Rapids, president of Tacora Resources Inc., survived a July 27 airplane crash in Quebec thanks to the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System aboard his 2005 Cirrus SR22 G2.
According to CTV News in Canada, Lehtinen was flying from Wabush, Newfoundland.,where his company owns the Scully iron ore mine, to Quebec City when he received oil pressure and oil temperature warnings. Then his engine stopped and made grinding sounds that suggested it was permanently damaged. He engaged the parachute and his aircraft fell to the ground safely.
To read the full article please visit Business North.
ALLETE, Inc. reports Q2 earnings growth, narrows earnings guidance range
Thursday, August 01, 2019
ALLETE, Inc. (NYSE: ALE) reported second quarter 2019 earnings of 66 cents per share on net income of $34.2 million. Last year’s results were 61 cents per share on net income of $31.3 million.
“Clean energy investments at both our regulated and energy infrastructure services businesses are expected to drive substantial growth over the next five years, potentially exceeding our stated 5-7 percent average annual growth objective,” said ALLETE Chairman and CEO Al Hodnik.
“We are pleased with our progress year-to-date, as we ramp to record levels of construction activities on several new projects slated to deliver carbon free generation beginning late...
St. Scholastica strengthens focus on vocation
Monday, July 29, 2019
The College of St. Scholastica has been awarded $47,832 to enhance students’ understanding of the meaning of “vocation” and how it fits into their future careers and lives.
A career term with a broader theological scope, vocation is often defined as a calling or a life’s purpose. The two-year NetVUE Program Development Grant award from the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) is funding St. Scholastica’s “Values in Action” initiative through April 30, 2021. This project aims to increase faculty, staff and student understanding of vocation and its relationship to the College’s mission and values. It creates opportunities for vocational reflection an...
Blandin Foundation's Community Leadership Program Paying off in Two Harbors
Sunday, July 21, 2019
“I think there’s a hope and an optimism in Two Harbors that came from many different things, but one is the Blandin Foundation invested a lot in the community leadership program over five years ago. That partnership has been a big deal for us,” Swanson said.
A member of the third cohort of participants in Blandin’s leadership series, Swanson believes the program helped synthesize good ideas and hone leadership skills.
With an infusion of new leaders throughout the city, county and business community, Swanson says new people have energized the discussion on community growth. He also credits the city for undertaking a massiv...
Celebrating the Long-Lasting Impact of Dr. Pat Johns, Outgoing Lake Superior College President
Monday, July 15, 2019
Economic development is all about people, and it truly begins with education. In northeast Minnesota, we are fortunate to be home to several of the state’s finest higher education institutions. The Area Partnership for Economic Expansion (APEX) has been proud to partner with Dr. Pat Johns, recently retired president of Lake Superior College (LSC), on many levels over the years, creating opportunities for students to gain real-world experience in the type of jobs that lend strength to our economy.
Dr. Johns led an impressive career in academia and always recognized the important role that higher education plays in the overall wellnes...
November Board & Investor-Member Meeting Highlights
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
November Board & Investor-Member Meeting Highlights
At the APEX Board of Directors meeting held at the Inn on Lake Superior on November 7, 2019, Mark Schill, with Praxis Strategy Group, reviewed the outcomes of the organization’s strategic planning process. In August and September, APEX engaged its investor-members and partners in a series of face to face focus groups and an online survey to gather input as part of its strategic planning process. A total of 116 stakeholders participated, including about 70 identifying as investor-members and 34 as partners.
“I am pleased with the insights Praxis gleaned from the process. Our investor-members and partners wer...
APEX Strategic Planning Underway
Thursday, August 08, 2019
The planning for APEX’s 2020 strategic plan is underway. In the spring, APEX distributed a request for proposal to local, regional and statewide consultants in search of a partner to lead the organization through the strategic planning process. In June, Mark Schill with Praxis Strategy Group was selected to lead the effort.
The APEX Executive Committee and staff are working with Praxis Strategy Group to establish a work plan and timeline for the process. Expect to learn more about how investor-member insight will be gleaned - there will be a number of avenues available to engage and provide feedback this fall...
EDAM Summer Conference Recap
Thursday, August 08, 2019
Economic developers, business leaders, emerging professionals and policymakers convened in Duluth in June for the Economic Development Association of Minnesota’s annual summer conference. The APEX team learned a lot at the many breakout sessions and was able to facilitate several important discussions.
The North Shore’s Craft Brewery Industry
It’s no secret that the North Shore has become a popular craft brewery destination, led by innovative and entrepreneurial brewing pioneers. Brian Hanson helped kick off the EDAM 2019 Summer Conference by moderating an exciting panel discussion between Jamie McFarlane of Castle Danger Brewery, Dave Hoops of Hoops Brewing Company and Lars Kuehnow fro...
Emerging Market Opportunities for Minnesota’s Wood Reserve
Thursday, August 08, 2019
Regional stakeholders gathered at the end of May to learn more about the Bioeconomy Coalition of Minnesota and explore opportunities for Minnesota’s wood resources. This special event was hosted by the Itasca Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), the Blandin Foundation, the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce and the Great Plains Institute (GPI).
“This event gave us a chance to discuss emerging opportunities for innovation in wood products,” said Matt Shermoen, Business Developer at APEX. “Leaders from Minnesota’s forest products industry had excellent ideas on how we can drive the industry forward together.”
The meeting first focused on the role of the Bioeconom...
IEDC Receives Substantial Grant From U.S. Economic Development Administration
Thursday, August 08, 2019
IEDC recently received a $190K grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), to focus on driving economic development as well as business retention and expansion efforts within Itasca County. IEDC will also contribute $190K to the project, bringing total funding to $380K over two years.
“We are excited to dive in and create a strategy to strengthen our economy,” explained Tamara Lowney, IEDC President. “Receiving this EDA grant creates an exciting opportunity for IEDC to create a strong, diversified business environment in Itasca County.”
The future of Itasca County depends not only on new business attraction but also on the growt...
APEX Welcomes Bailey Plemel as Operations Specialist
Monday, July 15, 2019
Duluth, MN: The Area Partnership for Economic Expansion (APEX) is pleased to welcome Bailey Plemel to the team as Operations Specialist. Plemel brings a strong background in customer service, having worked in insurance, regional retail, hospitality, news/media and restaurant industries.
“Bailey’s energy and passion for the region make her a great fit for APEX; we’re pleased to welcome her to the team,” said Brian Hanson, APEX President and CEO. “Her diverse experience, organizational skills and drive to learn will help her provide excellent service to APEX and our investor-members.”
The APEX Operations Specialist serves as the first point of contact for client...
APEX Annual Meeting Keynote Featured Cleveland Cliffs’ President and CEO
Thursday, March 21, 2019
On January 15, APEX hosted the organization’s Annual Meeting at the Kitchi Gammi Club. The crux of the meeting centered around the important connection between industry and the Duluth economy.
APEX was pleased to welcome Lourenco Goncalves, Chairman, President and CEO of Cleveland-Cliffs, Inc. (Cliffs) as the featured guest speaker. Goncalves shared insights and opportunities for clean steel manufacturing and how Minnesota plays an important role in this effort, both nationally and globally.
Left to Right: Brian Hanson with APEX, Brian Maki with Lakehead Constructors, Inc., Lourenco Goncalves, Chairman, President and CEO of Cleveland-Cliffs, Inc. and Brian Thun with maurices
Cliffs has lon...
APEX Annual Meeting Focuses on the Connection Between Industry and the Economy
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
Duluth, Minnesota: The Area Partnership for Economic Expansion (APEX) hosted their annual Board of Directors and member-investor meeting and reception on January 15, 2019 at the Kitchi Gammi Club. APEX was pleased to welcome Lourenco Goncalves, Chairman, President and CEO of Cleveland-Cliffs, Inc. (Cliffs) as the featured guest speaker. Goncalves shared insights and opportunities for clean steel manufacturing in Minnesota and discussed Cliffs’ leadership role in addressing climate change issues.
Cliffs has long been a global leader in iron ore pellet production, specializing in using ferrous scrap to create high-grade customized pellets that can be fed directly into blast furnaces. Thi...
APEX Insider Event Celebrates RSM’s 100 Years of Service
Thursday, September 27, 2018
Duluth, MN: Yesterday, RSM celebrated 100 years of serving the region with tax, audit and consulting services at the Area Partnership for Economic Expansion’s (APEX) Insider Event at their newly-renovated RSM office in Downtown Duluth on September 26, 2018.
“RSM’s long history of service has been critical to the success of many regional businesses. The RSM team helps drive investment every day by sharing their deep understanding of the accounting nuances facing mid-market businesses in the region,” explained Brian Hanson, APEX President and CEO. “The APEX Insider Event celebrated RSM’s investment in the the Duluth office, and highlights 100 years o...
Future Forest Stewards Invites High School Juniors and Seniors to North Star Expo
Tuesday, September 11, 2018
Grand Rapids, MN: Future Forest Stewards (FFS) is pleased invite high school juniors and seniors to learn more about careers in Minnesota’s forestry industry at the Minnesota Timber Producers Association’s 65th annual North Star Expo. The expo will be held on September 14-15, 2018, at the Itasca County Fairgrounds in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.
The expo will provide students first-hand opportunities to learn about the importance of the forestry industry in Minnesota and the wide variety of jobs that make Minnesota a strong timber and timber products producer. The industry includes career opportunities in logging, trucking, foresters, millwork, mechanics, research, manufacturing, forest products an...
APEX Hires New Operations Specialist
Tuesday, May 01, 2018
Duluth, MN: The Area Partnership for Economic Expansion (APEX) is pleased to welcome Janet Windus to the team in the newly created position of Operations Specialist. Windus comes to APEX with a wealth of experience in accounting and payroll services, customer service, and administrative functions. She joined the APEX team on April 11, 2018.
“We’re so pleased to have Janet as part of our team,” said Brian Hanson, APEX President and CEO. “Her 18+ years of professional office experience and organizational skills will help streamline our operations. She is already a great addition to APEX.”
As Operations Specialist, Windus is responsible fo...
APEX Annual Meeting Focuses on the Connection Between Water and Industry
Sunday, April 15, 2018
Duluth, Minnesota: On January 25, 2018, the Area Partnership for Economic Expansion (APEX) hosted their annual Board of Directors and investor-member meeting and reception at the Kitchi Gammi Club. The meeting featured guest speaker LaMarr Barnes, CEO of U.S. Water Services, Inc. (U.S. Water) speaking about the interconnection of water and industry in our region and the importance of understanding and managing water in a sustainable way.
Barnes shared valuable insight into the changing hydrological cycle, explaining the intricacies of the water/energy nexus throughout industries. Generating electrical power, agriculture, public water and industry are the largest water-using sectors in our econom...
APEX Investor Members Support ISD 709 Construction Technology Program
Friday, December 15, 2017
Duluth, Minnesota: The Area Partnership for Economic Expansion (APEX) and several APEX investor-members are pleased to support ISD 709’s Construction Technology program. The Boldt Company, APi Group, Inc., United Piping, Inc., The Jamar Company and Northland Constructors donated much-needed cold weather work gear and safety equipment to the Construction Technology program.
“When the district reached out to APEX, we were more than happy to get involved,” said Sandy Johnson, Manager, Member Relations and Administration at APEX. “Many APEX investor-members seized the opportunity to support the next generation of trades workers.”
This fall, students in the Construction Technology program have been working i...
APEX Debuts 360-Degree Virtual Reality Tour
Thursday, September 21, 2017
Duluth, MN: The Area Partnership for Economic Expansion (APEX) is pleased to announce the availability of a 360-degree virtual reality (VR) tour that provides prospective business partners and site selection consultants a full-immersion experience of the APEX region from anywhere in the world. The Place VR tour, created by Golden Shovel Agency, highlights existing industry and infrastructure and showcases the region’s high quality of life.
“It’s one thing to see images or video of our region. It’s quite another to be fully immersed in the Place VR tour,” said Brian Hanson, APEX President and CEO. “This innovative approach showcases many element...
Enbridge Line 3 Replacement Project to Support 8,600 Jobs in Northeast Minnesota: New Economic Impact Study from UMD's BBER
Monday, June 12, 2017
Duluth, MN: The Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) at the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Labovitz School of Business and Economics recently released the results of the Enbridge Line 3 Pipeline Replacement Construction Economic Impact Study (EIS). The Area Partnership for Economic Expansion (APEX) requested this study be conducted to help stakeholders better understand the significant contribution this project will provide. The BBER concluded that the project will create approximately 8,600 jobs and will represent an investment of over $2.0 billion in the 15-county study area in the northern portion of the State of Minnesota.
“APEX supports the Enbridge Lin...
APEX Annual Meeting Highlights Economic Optimism for Region
Friday, April 07, 2017
Duluth, MN: On January 26, 2017, the Area Partnership for Economic Expansion (APEX) hosted their annual Board of Directors and investor-member meeting and reception at the Kitchi Gammi Club. Nearly 100 regional, public and private sector leaders were in attendance for the event and to hear guest speaker John R. Elmore, Vice Chair of Community Banking and Branch Delivery at U.S. Bank. Elmore shared his insight into recent economic shifts.
Elmore expressed optimism for economic development in the region of northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. Equity markets and the treasury yield curve are trending upwards. Overall wages have been on th...
