Grow Minnesota!

Grow Minnesota! is Minnesota's first purely private sector, statewide business retention and expansion program. Its primary goal is to strengthen and grow Minnesota's economy. Initiated by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce in September 2003, Grow Minnesota! is carried out in partnership with local chambers of commerce from across the state. Almost forty local chambers were selected as our partners for 2006-2007, the fourth year of the program.

The Minnesota Chamber firmly believes the private sector must take the lead on retention visits giving economic development more "eyes and ears" statewide.

Mission

Under the leadership of the Minnesota Chamber and local chamber partners, Grow Minnesota! will promote statewide collaboration on growing Minnesota's economy.

Grow Minnesota! will improve the economic vitality of Minnesota by 1) Encouraging companies to remain and expand in Minnesota, 2) Establishing stronger ties between private sector companies and their business advocates, and 3) Recommending community and public-sector responses to the trends affecting the development of the state's economy.

Over time, Grow Minnesota! will assume the responsibility of marketing Minnesota to the nation and world.

Solving Company Specific Problems

Community: Fergus Falls
Company: Quality Circuits is a full-service printed circuit manufacturer in Fergus Falls. It employs 115 and has been a part of the community since 1988.
Issue: This leading employer in the community is looking to expand in the near future.
Assistance: The Minnesota Chamber, recognizing the importance of keeping these quality jobs, contacted Governor Pawlenty’s office. In turn, the governor contacted Quality Circuits President Wayne Dirkman and thanked the company for its investment in Fergus Falls and Minnesota.
Result: The Minnesota Chamber believes the call from the governor influenced the company’s decision to keep its two immediate expansions in Fergus Falls.
Kathi Schaff, Minnesota Chamber: “The timing of the Grow Minnesota! visit was crucial. Local business leaders assisted on several Fergus Falls visits. They clearly see the importance of regular retention visits to ensure local companies stay and grow in Fergus Falls.”

Download 2006-2007 Annual Report

MHTA & MTO Mission to China: October 10-16, 2008

The Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA) and Minnesota Trade Office (MTO) are pleased to announce a joint business development mission to Shenzhen and Hong Kong to provide Minnesota's high tech companies an opportunity to explore business prospects in two of China's most important and fastest growing cities. We invite you to submit an application to join us on what promises to be an incredible opportunity to develop relationships and knowledge on our Pacific Rim trading partner. Applications are due July 31, 2008.

The delegation will attend China's top trade show for the high tech industry (China Hi-Tech Fair), visit local technology companies, meet with government officials and industry trade associations, obtain market and industry presentations, and more. In addition to attending the trade fair in Shenzhen, the delegation will acquire market and industry information and meet business contacts in the dynamic Hong Kong market.

The mission objectives are to:

Acquire firsthand market and industry information regarding China's high tech sector
Obtain valuable business contacts
Explore opportunities for technology exchanges and partnerships
Promote Minnesota exports to China

Interested parties can obtain an application here.

Additional details on the mission can be found here.

For additional questions contact Peter Lindstrom, MHTA vice president of public affairs at (952) 230-4551 or via e-mail at plindstrom@mhta.org or contact the Minnesota Trade Office at (651) 259-7499 or mto@state.mn.us.

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.