News

APEX Board & Investor-Member Meeting Highlights

Wednesday, November 23, 2022

APEX hosted its bi-monthly Board and Investor-Member meeting on Thursday, November 3, 2022, at Pier B and virtually via Zoom. Chair Lisa Bodine welcomed all investor-members and prospective investor-members and introduced keynote speaker Ryan Flom from the Softwood Lumber Board (SLB). After approving minutes and financials from September by the Board, Flom presented on The State of Mass Timber: Opportunities and Building Types to Spur Growth. The SLB believes the next building revolution will involve wood. To spur interest, the SLB’s outreach includes funding for initiatives such as WoodWorks, the American Wood Council, Think Wood and the Wood Institute, an educationa...

High School Students Receive Manufacturing Tours

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

Last week, the Area Partnership for Economic Expansion (APEX) and the Lake Superior Perkins Consortium arranged tours of regional manufacturing facilities for approximately 300 high school students on October 12-13, 2022. Students from schools covering Moose Lake to Duluth, including Fond du Lac, had the opportunity to explore 13 companies in Duluth, Superior and Two Harbors. “The best way to understand the regional manufacturing industry and the career opportunities it holds, is first-hand experience and exposure,” said Rachel Johnson, APEX President and CEO. “APEX understands that workforce development begins far sooner than when someone lands their first job. It was a...

APEX Board & Investor-Member Meeting Highlights

Monday, September 19, 2022

APEX hosted its bi-monthly Board and Investor-Member meeting on Thursday, July 7, 2022, at Pier B Resort and online via Zoom. Chair Lisa Bodine introduced new investor-members Ulland Brothers and Bell Bank and welcomed all APEX investor-member interns attending the meeting. Next, Bodine introduced Deb DeLuca, Executive Director of the Duluth Seaway Port Authority (DSPA). DeLuca provided valuable background on port operations and shared detail on the DSPA’s functional strategic plan – Under Full Sail. “The Port of Duluth-Superior is a critical asset that connects the entire region to the world,” explained DeLuca. “We’re governed by a diverse, 7-member board o...

APEX Board & Investor-Member Meeting Highlights

Monday, September 19, 2022

APEX hosted its bi-monthly Board and Investor-Member meeting on Thursday, September 1, 2022, at the Holiday Inn & Suites in Downtown Duluth and online via Zoom. Chair Lisa Bodine introduced new member-representatives from Altec and ALLETE, a few folks back with APEX and a couple of guests. Lisa then introduced Rachel Johnson, APEX’s incoming President and CEO, who said a few words relaying her excitement about getting started in her new role. Bodine then welcomed Doug Loon, President and CEO of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, who provided the meeting’s keynote address titled Minnesota’s Economic Position and Outlook for Progress. Dou...

Minnesota Chamber visits Duluth in preparation for next legislative session

Wednesday, September 07, 2022

DULUTH — In preparation for the next state legislative session, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce President Doug Loon visited Duluth to present to Area Partnership for Economic Expansion during its board of directors and investors meeting Thursday. APEX is a business development engine with a mission to leverage private sector resources to drive investment throughout the region. In addition, Loon made stops at area businesses, the Duluth Chamber of Commerce , mining associations and met with the News Tribune for an interview during his stay in the Northland. To view full article, visit Duluth News Tribune

APEX announces new president, CEO

Thursday, August 18, 2022

DULUTH — The Area Partnership for Economic Expansion recently appointed Rachel Johnson as its new president and CEO. The position was formerly held by Brian Hanson for 10 years. APEX is a business development engine with a mission to leverage private sector resources to drive investment throughout the region. In her new role, Johnson will lead APEX to increase investor-membership and build relationships that create new growth opportunities in talent attraction, site selection and business expansion. To view full article, visit Duluth News Tribune

APEX announces Rachel Johnson as president and chief executive officer

Wednesday, August 17, 2022

The Area Partnership for Economic Expansion (APEX), the private sector-led business development engine for Northeast Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin, announced today that Rachel Johnson has been appointed as the organization’s new president and CEO. Johnson will lead the organization in executing its strategic mission to leverage private sector resources to drive investment throughout the APEX region. “The APEX Executive Committee is thrilled to place Rachel at the helm of the organization,” said Lisa Bodine, APEX board chair. “Rachel has been building relationships with key community stakeholders throughout the region for over 20 years. Her ability to bring people together to driv...

Increased aircraft production prompts growth in Duluth

Monday, August 08, 2022

DULUTH — American Precision Avionics’ parking lot has been overflowing, and it’s only going to get more crowded, as demand from its largest customer, Cirrus Aircraft, continues to grow and the business continues to add new clients. The maker of wiring harnesses and other airplane components already employs 87 people and hopes to hire another 25 production workers yet this year, said Ashley Dingmann, an accounting and human resources specialist for the company. Meanwhile, the manufacturer has parking for just 40 vehicles, regularly forcing vehicles to spill onto Prosperity Road, where on-street parking technically is not allowed, said Deborah DeLuca, executiv...

Study: Enbridge Line 3 generated billions in economic impact

Wednesday, July 20, 2022

DULUTH — Since replacement of Enbridge's Line 3 pipeline began in 2017, a significant increase in economic activity has been experienced across the region, a recent economic impact study found. The study was commissioned by Area Partnership for Economic Expansion, a private-sector-led business development engine for northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin. There are 31 members of APEX's board of directors; two are employed by Enbridge: Jerrid Anderson and APEX Executive Committee At-Large Member Lorraine Little. APEX also participated in the regulatory process to help bring the Line 3 project to fruition. To view full article, visit Duluth News Tribune To view the Executiv...

APEX Board & Investor-Member Meeting Highlights

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

APEX hosted its bi-monthly Board & Investor-Member Meeting virtually on May 6, 2021. Steve Licari, CPA with Licari, Larsen & Company, shared the results of APEX’s 2020 financial audit. The audit went well, due in large part to solid accounting practices, reasonable checks and balances, and oversight from Brian Hanson and the Finance Committee. APEX has hosted several roundtable discussions this year, bringing regional leaders together to discuss and develop solutions for key challenges in specific areas. Ian Vincent, Senior Business Developer, and Matt Shermoen, Business Developer, shared updates on three recent discussions. Childcare - APEX continues to help with childcare attractio...

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...

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 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...

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