People have been asking us about the Iron Industry in Minnesota, so we wanted to share information from Minnesota Iron Mining…

The Iron Mining Association of Minnesota’s (IMA) mission is to promote an iron ore industry that will provide long-term growth and prosperity for all stakeholders through profitability in a competitive, global market.

The membership is made up of the nine producing iron ore mines in Northeast Minnesota that are capable of producing more than 40 million tons of taconite annually from Minnesota’s iron ore deposits. The trade association is also made up of 200 vendors that supply products and services to the mining industry. The companies that operate the mines include ArcelorMittal, Cliffs Natural Resources, Magnetation, Steel Dynamics and U.S. Steel.

The iron mines directly contribute $1.8 billion to the economy of Minnesota every year in the form of purchases, wages and benefits, taxes and royalties. Subsequent business impact induced as the result of iron mining is responsible for more than an additional $1.6 billion – making the total economic impact $3 billion on the state and region’s economy. Currently the mines directly employ 4,200 men and women and support an additional 13,000 employed by vendors.

Read more.

Employment Posting

Full Time Economic Development Project Manager

The Lac qui Parle County Economic Development Authority in Madison, MN has an opening for a full time Economic Development Project Manager.

Immediate Supervisor: Director of Lac qui Parle County Economic Development Authority

Job summary

Develops and implements economic development and redevelopment programs with the goals of private business attraction, retention and transition; job growth, housing and tax base expansion is paramount. Serves as the key point of contact for business start-up, to locate, expand or transition in the County and guides projects and proposals through the necessary approval processes.  Works with entrepreneurs and assists connecting them with Small Business Development Mentors and works in concert with mentors to guide in the business proposal process and the navigations through necessary approval processes.

Minimum qualifications

Training in Economic Development, Business, Finance, Marketing, Public Administration or related field preferred; and three years broad and diverse connected or related work experience; or an equivalent combination of formal training or post-secondary education helpful.  Must possess a valid driver’s license. Experience interacting with local government entities and knowledge of municipal development processes strongly desired.

Knowledge Preferred

Governmental structure and political processes

Skills Required

Skill in communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interact with co-workers and the public.

Physical Activities Required

Typing, filing and repetitive motions. Exerting up to ten pounds of force occasionally and/ ability to left, carry, push, pull or otherwise move and/ or lift objects of up to 50 lbs.  Sitting a majority of the time. Walking and standing are required occasionally.

Other Information

This is a full time salaried position. And is eligible to qualify for Minnesota PERA benefits upon retirement.

For more information, contact Director of The Lac qui Parle County Economic Development Authority at: (320) 598-7976 or email to director@lqpeda.com

This posting will is open and will remain active until November 30, 2017, with an initial application review on December 5^th, 2017. Reposted on December 20. 2017.

Please submit a cover letter and attach a current resume by email to: director@lqpeda.com  or

Mailing address:

Lac qui Parle County EDA
600 6th Street – Ste. 10
Madison, MN 56256

According to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)…

Minnesota employers reported more than 122,900 job vacancies in the second quarter of 2017, indicating the state labor market is extremely tight as baby boomers retire from the workforce and moderate job growth continues, according to figures released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).

DEED said job vacancies were up 26 percent from the same period one year ago, when there were 97,580 vacancies statewide.

According to the figures, the Twin Cities had less than one unemployed person (0.8) for every job vacancy. In Greater Minnesota, the ratio was 1.1 unemployed people for each job vacancy.

Read more.

Winona Post reports…

Out back, the rear of the new Envirolastech plant in St. Charles is practical, not pretty. Eighty tons worth of milk jugs and similar plastics are stacked in bales. A loading dock ramp leads up to a stockpile of broken glass bottles. A skid steer sits parked nearby. This is where the magic starts.

From there, the old bottles from around Southeast Minnesota will be cleaned, ground up, and mixed into proprietary formulas and extrusion molded into deck-building materials, pallets that withstand water and freezing temperatures, and permeable pavers that are — according to Envirolastech — stronger than concrete.

In a community where some have longed for a return of manufacturing jobs since the Northstar Foods fire of 2009, Envirolastech leaders say they have created 19. Their LEED-certified building captures rainwater for use in the manufacturing process, and last week, hosted a contingent from Governor Dayton’s cabinet. “This is a crown jewel for us right now,” St. Charles Mayor John Schaber said of the new factory.

It’s a great idea for any community. Read More…

What does Lac qui Parle have a lot of? Wind! And that can be good news if we use it well. Minnesota Public Radio recently reported…

The U.S. Department of Energy found a growth spurt in the wind power industry last year, both in Minnesota and nationally.

New data from the U.S. Energy Department shows Minnesota wind energy capacity increased about 9 percent last year.

Minnesota added enough new wind energy last year to power about 150,000 homes.

The cost of wind power rivals other forms of electricity generation, said Minnesota Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman.

“Wind is now turning out to be one of the lowest cost alternatives — competitive with natural gas, and with other forms of electricity,” he said. “That’s why we’re seeing such a huge growth in the wind energy in Minnesota.

Wind power accounts for nearly 18 percent of the electricity generated in Minnesota. The state ranks seventh in the nation for wind energy.

From the latest SBA newsletter…

SBA Resources for Women Business Owners

Office of Women’s Business Ownership (OWBO), including funding, and government contracting information, training and more.

Women’s Business Center, Twin Cities Metro
Women’s Business Center, Duluth

SBA Minnesota District Office

ChallengeHER a Success

More than 100 women (and men) came to learn how to successfully navigate the federal contracting industry and win federal contracts. Guest speakers helped the audience understand the rules and strategies to obtain contracts set aside for Women Owned Small Businesses.

Check out photos from the event here: https://flic.kr/s/aHsm2Pxpop

Research to Revenue Tour of Minnesota

The federal Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) programs seek to transform scientific discovery into societal and economic benefit by catalyzing private sector commercialization of technological innovations.

The programs increase the incentive and opportunity for startups and small businesses to undertake cutting-edge, high-quality scientific research and development.

Eleven federal agencies provide grants or contracts in phases up to $1.5M.

Learn more at the remaining tour events:
September 7 – St. Cloud
September 13 – Mankato
September 14 – Metro
September 20 – Rochester (By Appt Only)

For more information and to register, go to https://www.mhta.org/