CEO Guide to Site Selection

Minnesota

Powering Innovation in the North Star State

A surge of large investments and forward-looking state initiatives is helping solidify Minnesota’s status as a hub for innovation and advanced manufacturing. Boston Scientific, General Mills and DG Fuels announced major projects over the past year, while the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development aims to strengthen the state’s business environment through new initiatives. The Minnesota Forward Fund offers ongoing funding to facilitate private investments in the semiconductor industry.

“Minnesota depends on a skilled, trained and educated workforce. We’re equipping Minnesotans with the support they need to step into high-demand industries, helping employers fill critical positions, supporting families and communities and keeping our state competitive.”
Tim Walz
Governor

TAXES

0 %

top corporate income tax

# 0

on the Tax Foundation’s State Business Tax Climate Index ranking

EDUCATION

0 %

of adults 25 years of age and older graduated high school

0 %

of adults age 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or higher

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

0 %

RIGHT TO WORK STATE

No

QUALITY OF LIFE

# 0

POPULATION GROWTH

0 %

increase between 2020 and 2024

KEY INCENTIVES

Minnesota Job Creation Fund: Offers incentives of up to $2 million to businesses that create jobs and meet capital investment targets.

Minnesota Angel Tax Credit: Offers a 25 percent tax credit to investors who make equity investments in qualifying startup companies.

EDCs

Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
mn.gov/deed

Minneapolis St. Paul Regional Economic Development Partnership
greatermsp.org

Rochester Area Economic Development, Inc.
raedi.com

Duluth Economic Development Authority
dulutheda.org

BIG DEALS

  • DG Fuels announced in November 2024 that it will build a $5 billion manufacturing facility and create hundreds of jobs in Moorhead.
  • General Mills announced in August 2025 a $54 million investment in an innovation plant near its Minnesota headquarters.
  • Mortenson opened BLUlabs, a state-of-the-art R&D facility in Fridley, in August 2025.
  • In September 2025, nVent announced a new facility and 175 new jobs in Blaine.
  • Boston Scientific announced in September 2025 a $131 million expansion and the creation of 440 jobs in Maple Grove.

BIG COMPANIES

Seventeen Fortune 500 company HQs in the state.

Roundtable

Strategic Planning Workshop

1:00 - 5:00 pm

Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process

Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:

  1. Lack of systematic approach (70%)
  2. Laundry lists without prioritization (68%)
  3. Decisions based on personalities rather than facts and information (65%)

 

Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns.  They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning.  Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process.  This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented.  If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form.  The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.

New York, NY: ​​​Chief Executive's Corporate Citizenship Awards 2017

Women in Leadership Seminar and Peer Discussion

2:00 - 5:00 pm

Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations. 

Limited space available.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $495 will be added to your total.

Golf Outing

10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS

General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.

The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $295 will be added to your total.