Michele Engdahl with Thomson Reuters, Eagan, receives an up-close look at a hog-producing facility – Baarsch Farms-Next Generation Pork, Inc. near Austin – as part of Leadership Minnesota. The Minnesota Chamber program is an exclusive look at the state’s changing economy and the issues that will shape its future. Grow Minnesota! events help businesses prepare for the economic recovery. Sharing their perspectives on how the recession has changed the job market were (from left) Simon Foster of SpencerStuart, Minneapolis; Sue Metcalf of Ecolab, St. Paul; and Jan Erickson of Medtronic, Inc., Fridley. Dee Schutte, executive director of the Litchfield Chamber of Commerce, visits with House Minority Leader Kurt Zellers at the Session Priorities event. Governor Tim Pawlenty congratulates John M. Rivisto, president and CEO of Wells Concrete Company, on its new facility in Sartell. The plant has created 50 jobs in central Minnesota and will add another 100 jobs over the next five years. Minnesota legislative leaders share their priorities at the Minnesota Chamber’s annual Session Priorities event: (from left) House Minority Leader Kurt Zellers, House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, moderator Tom Hauser of KSTP-TV Eyewitness News; Senate Minority Leader David Senjem; Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller. Governor Tim Pawlenty addresses nearly 1,600 business leaders and policy-makers at the Minnesota Chamber’s annual Session Priorities event, the largest legislative gathering of its kind.

Grow Minnesota!

Talking about Grow Minnesota!

General Information

Q: What is Grow Minnesota!?
A: A statewide, private-sector, ongoing business retention and expansion initiative carried out by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce in partnership with local and regional chambers of commerce.

Q: What are its objectives?
A: Initially: Retain the existing base of employers in the state – with a focus on "export" employers – and grow that base. "Export employers" include all businesses whose customers are outside of Minnesota. The program also will identify, publicize and recommend community and public-sector responses to the trends affecting the development of the state's economy.
Over time: Market the state to the nation and world.

Q: How will these objectives be achieved?
A: Local and regional chamber executives recruit volunteer CEOs and business owners to participate in regular retention visits with Minnesota companies. They thank companies for doing business in Minnesota and find out if there are any problems they can help solve. If a company plans to expand, Grow Minnesota! representatives will encourage expansion in Minnesota and offer to assist. If a community cannot provide a suitable expansion site, it will direct that company to a statewide lead-sharing pool so other Minnesota communities have a chance to make a proposal. Visits also are an opportunity to collect information on businesses that will be analyzed for economic trends and guidance on public policy.

Q: What is this initiative's relationship to other economic development organizations and efforts in Minnesota?
A: Grow Minnesota! is intended to complement economic development efforts by other entities. It will rely on the cooperation and support of many of these groups (e.g. Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, local economic development agencies, Minnesota Technology, Inc.) to respond to companies’ requests for assistance. The objective is to deliver assistance from the appropriate public- or private-sector professionals to companies that otherwise might not bother to seek it on their own, or would not know where to look.

Information for Private-Sector Companies

Q: Why should we participate in an onsite visit?
A: The goal of Grow Minnesota! is to help private-sector companies in Minnesota. We want to hear about your concerns: What will keep you from growing in Minnesota? What could the state and local governments do to help you be more successful? We will use this information to help you obtain the assistance – technical or otherwise – you need to remain competitive and grow in Minnesota. Your feedback will help us understand the state's economy better and provide a clearer roadmap to maximizing Minnesota's future prosperity. Help us help you!

Q: How long will the visit take?
A: Visits generally take 45 minutes to an hour. If you have time constraints, please let our volunteers know. We will be happy to work around your schedule.

Q: Will the information I provide remain confidential?
A: We will not disclose your name unless it is necessary to provide assistance. In those instances, we will ask your permission to disclose your identify and your responses to the survey topics in question. Data from the questionnaire will only be reported in aggregate form.

Q: Will I get anything else for participating?
A: The Minnesota Chamber will send you quarterly updates on Grow Minnesota!'s progress throughout the state. Your local chamber might choose to provide periodic updates as well. Participating companies will be able to request the Minnesota Chamber's annual report that summarizes the progress of the initiative, its impact on the state's economy and the economic and public policy trends it has revealed. You will have the satisfaction of knowing that you have contributed to an unprecedented statewide, comprehensive effort to promote Minnesota's future prosperity.

Privacy & Security|Contact Us|Send Feedback
© Copyright 2009 Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved.

This web site is developed and owned by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. Any use or reprinting is strictly prohibited without prior consent of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.