GREATER MSP

07/17/2025

Join us on Wednesday, August 13 for COMPETE25, a fast-paced and thought-provoking event focused on the state of our economy—and the strategy to win the future.

We’ll unveil key insights from the 2025 MSP Regional Indicators Dashboard—a fresh look at how our region is performing across critical areas like growth, inclusion, innovation, and infrastructure. Some results will be encouraging. Others may challenge long-held assumptions about our economic health.

So what do the numbers really mean—and how do we compete more effectively on the national and global stage? You’ll hear answers from regional leaders across business, education, health care, and the nonprofit sector, including:

B Kyle, President & CEO, St. Paul Area Chamber
Mike Logan, Interim President & CEO, MPLS Regional Chamber
Peter Frosch, President & CEO, GREATER MSP Partnership
More speakers to be announced soon!

Together, we’ll explore where we are strong, where we’re slipping, and how our region can sharpen its competitive edge.

We’ll share the strategy—and the specific missions—designed to position our region to win. You'll leave inspired to take action, equipped with new perspective on ways you can lead to ensure that we continue to COMPETE.

August 13, 2025
8:30–10 a.m. (Doors open at 8)
James B. Woulfe Alumni Hall, University of St. Thomas

Register now. Please note - you will be taken to the St. Paul Area Chamber website to purchase tickets.

https://hubs.li/Q03xFVNr0

06/05/2025

We’re excited to share this BBC article highlighting that Minneapolis ranks as one of the happiest places in the world, one of only two U.S. cities to earn “Gold” designations in the annual Happy City Index. The index ranks cities based on such factors as education, innovation, governance, health & well-being, mobility, environment and economy.

The BBC points out Minneapolis earned points for its green space and overall sustainability, as well the strong growth in its economy, reasonable cost of living, and prioritization of education.

Take a deeper dive and read the article.

Minneapolis ranked among the world's happiest cities for 2025. Locals say the secret lies in its Nordic roots, creative energy and community spirit that bring all-season joy.

04/02/2025

Hatch Bloomington is back, and so is a chance to win $100,000 to bring a bold business idea to life in Bloomington, Minnesota. Now in its second year, this pitch competition is designed to foster local entrepreneurship, revitalize commercial corridors, and empower innovative thinkers to launch the next great storefront business in the city.

Applications will be accepted from March 31 through April 28. Individuals can submit a proposal outlining their concepts and plans. In addition to the chance to win $100,000, competitors will gain valuable exposure and access to tools, feedback, and connections to help them succeed.

Learn more.

https://www.hatchbloomington.com/

02/27/2025

More than 650 people gathered for NEXT25 at the Guthrie Theater, GREATER MSP’s annual event celebrating recent wins and forecasting where our region will go next. Thanks to all who spoke and attended. You made the event truly memorable and inspiring!

01/08/2025

We are thrilled to announce that Jake Blumberg has been named managing director of the Itasca Project!

Starting February 12, Jake will take on this pivotal role to lead cross-sector collaboration in Greater Minneapolis–Saint Paul, furthering regional economic growth and strengthening our vibrant civic ecosystem. Jake has spent the past nine years as executive director of GiveMN, where he helped raise $300M+ for Minnesota’s nonprofits and schools. With a passion for innovative collaboration, Jake brings his expertise to the Itasca Project, a powerful alliance committed to tackling critical issues for our region’s long-term prosperity. As part of the GREATER MSP Partnership since 2022, the Itasca Project has been at the forefront of advancing early childhood education, career readiness, affordable housing, and much more.

“Jake’s joining as managing director of the Itasca Project marks an exciting new chapter for our region,” said Peter Frosch, President and CEO of the GREATER MSP Partnership. “His proven leadership, innovative thinking and passion for building a thriving, inclusive community will accelerate our work to build America’s strongest civic ecosystem.”

“I’m thrilled to welcome Jake as our new managing director,” said Steve Grove, CEO and publisher of the Minnesota Star Tribune and incoming chair of the Itasca Project leadership committee. “Jake is full of energy and passion for Minnesota, and he will bring a strong new set of eyes to reimagine how this project can play a unique role to tackle some of the biggest opportunities for growing this region and community.” Ballinger Leafblad, Inc. led the search.

12/10/2024

The Biden-Harris Administration announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce signed a preliminary memoranda of terms (PMT) under the CHIPS and Science Act to provide up to $16 million in proposed direct funding to SkyWater Technology to modernize its facility in Bloomington, Minn.

A milestone for the Minnesota CHIPS Coalition, this preliminary announcement is the second for a Minnesota-based semiconductor manufacturer, following the $525M announcement for Bloomington-based Polar Semiconductor in May.

“We built the Minnesota CHIPS Coalition to help Minnesota semiconductor companies win federal CHIPS funding and secure our region’s role as a national leader in this strategic global industry,” said Peter Frosch, president and CEO of the GREATER MSP Partnership. "This announcement demonstrates that Minnesota’s collaborative approach—to bring industry, academia and government together around a shared opportunity—is creating more good jobs and accelerating our region’s innovation economy.”

The manufacturer plans $127 million in infrastructure and cybersecurity upgrades as the U.S. works to strengthen its position in the global industry.

12/04/2024

Why is Minnesota positioned to lead on clean energy? “We have companies that have been on the leading edge of the agricultural space for a century,” said Peter Frosch, president and CEO of the GREATER MSP Partnership. “They’re seeing important parts of the future of their business in the clean energy transition.” Created and led by GREATER MSP, the Minnesota SAF Hub (https://www.mnsafhub.org) is working to develop sustainable aviation fuels from organic materials like feedstocks, agricultural biomass, woody biomass and used cooking oils.

Learn more about” Minnesota’s Clean Energy Revolution.”

https://tcbmag.com/inside-minnesotas-clean-energy-revolution/

A public-private partnership aims to supercharge the state's clean energy sector. New business formation is central to the effort.

11/14/2024

Great to see Forge North coordinator Ben Ihde mentioned in EcoMap Technologies recent post on The Art of Ecosystem Storytelling. Learn more.

Storytelling is imperative to communicating ecosystem value and evolution. At its core, effective storytelling bridges the gap between data and community narratives, but the implications of accurately balancing each can make or break progress.  Collecting data is a natural, pragmatic first step to ...

11/07/2024

Washington, D.C.–based DG Fuels announced the selection of a site for a roughly $5B manufacturing facility and hundreds of good jobs in Moorhead, Minn., that will produce low-carbon sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) using agricultural and wood waste as feedstock. The 193M gallons projected by DG Fuels would represent nearly half of the fuel used at the MSP International Airport. A milestone for the MN SAF Hub, and the state’s most significant commitment toward commercial-scale SAF production, the news demonstrates how building a new SAF economy in Minnesota will create opportunities that stretch from the MSP tarmac to every corner of the state.

The announcement also reflects Minnesota’s compelling value proposition to SAF producers, which includes abundant and diverse feedstocks, clean electricity, mature rail networks and strong state support.

A new $5 billion plant is coming to Moorhead with 650 jobs expected.

10/30/2024

Thanks to everyone who attended Itasca Project's “Catalyzing Civic Leadership: What’s Next for Our Region” event at Union Depot. We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to each one of our 300+ attendees for making the gathering such a memorable and meaningful experience. It was wonderful to see so many leaders together in celebration of the wellspring and continued flourishing of civic leadership in our region.

10/23/2024

The Itasca Project announced that Steve Grove, CEO and publisher of The Minnesota Star Tribune, will become its chair effective January 2025. Grove, who serves on Itasca’s executive leadership council, will succeed John Naylor, recently retired president and CEO of Medica.

“Itasca has become a national model for collaboration across business, nonprofit, philanthropy, education and public sectors,” Grove said. “I’m pleased to help the new team grow the impact of this work at such an important time for Minnesota.”

October 22, 2024, Saint Paul, MN — The Itasca Project announced today that Steve Grove, CEO and publisher of the Minnesota Star Tribune, will become its chair effective January 2025. Grove, who serves on Itasca’s executive leadership council, will succeed John Naylor, recently retired president ...

10/18/2024

We’re recruiting for the role of Managing Director, MedTech. Minnesota MedTech 3.0 (MMT3.0) is a cross-sector hub to grow Minnesota’s global leadership in MedTech innovation. This role will play a central role in the implementation of the MMT3.0 strategy as the regional innovation officer driving cross-sector collaboration to grow Minnesota’s leadership in medical technology innovation.

The ideal candidate will be a seasoned leader and recognized medical technology expert with deep cross-functional leadership experience, a strong track-record of standing up and operationalizing new, complex enterprises, a proven history of delivering on commitments and achieving demonstrated impact, deep commitment to Minnesota, and a passion for advancing equity and inclusion.

Apply now and/or share with your networks.

https://recruitingbypaycor.com/career/JobIntroduction.action?clientId=8a7883d06f38cb41016f68385075140e&id=8a78839e929720af01929c152f6c58f9&source=&lang=en