Advisory Committee
APEX
Find your competitive advantage right here. Northeast Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin have the resources, infrastructure, and workforce needed to support your success. Agile and connected, APEX is the private sector’s economic development force and is best equipped to respond to your needs.
Check out the Organization Chart of the Region’s Economic Development Agencies:
APEX UMD BBER Economic Development Org Chart March 2022
Carlton County
Carlton County Economic Development provides assistance to local governments and private businesses on economic development initiatives including loan and grant administration, business recruitment and expansion, strategic planning, prospect marketing, and land use planning and development.
Cloquet Economic Development Authority
Cloquet is proud of its diverse business community, which employs many people and provides goods and services to local, regional, national, and international markets. We are committed to maintaining a positive business climate and fully cooperating with the business community to encourage quality economic development and greater employment opportunities in the city.
Duluth Economic Development Authority
Duluth is a First Class city offering first class amenities. The city is situated at the far western tip of Lake Superior and hugs the lake’s shoreline for over 27 miles. Duluth offers majestic views, vibrant arts and culture, opportunities to work for successful companies, and adventure right outside your doorstep.
Duluth Seaway Port Authority
The Duluth Seaway Port Authority is an independent, public agency created by the Minnesota State Legislature to foster regional maritime commerce, promote trade development, facilitate industrial development, and serve as an advocate for port interests here and around the world.
Fond du Lac Reservation Business Committee
The Fond du Lac Band is one of six Chippewa Indian Bands in the state of Minnesota; the Reservation was established by the La Pointe Treaty of 1854. The economic impact is estimated at nearly $119.9 million (2011) in output spending and more than $67.3 million in value added spending from tourism in the MSA.
Grand Rapids Economic Development Authority
Grand Rapids is in the middle of the Minnesota north woods for those seeking the ideal balance of community and wilderness. It’s where the nature of the community reflects and complements the splendor and strength of the outdoors so priorities are in their natural order and perspective remains fresh.
City of Hermantown
The City of Hermantown works daily to accommodate changing market trends and the priorities of a new generation of residents. In 2014, two Amendments were adopted into the Comprehensive Plan. One outlines a small area planning process to take place within the City over the following 4-8 years. The second is the Adolph Small Area Plan, covering a 3.5 square mile area in the southwest corner of the City.
Department of Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation
There are many challenges to starting or growing your business today; but in northeastern Minnesota, we’ve never been more committed to making your business a success. The Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation Board’s (IRRRB) unique business development financing programs are among the most wide-ranging and creative in the United States. Whether you’re establishing a new business or looking to expand, we have the financial tools, dedicated support, and local resources to get you there.
Itasca Economic Development Corporation
Itasca County offers a unique blend of abundant natural resources, state-of-the-art business amenities, and outstanding cultural opportunities strategically located in the heart of North America. When combined with our productive workforce, competitive wage rates, and low cost utilities, Itasca County is an ideal place to start, relocate, or expand your business. Itasca Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) has the expertise and resources to help you grow your business in Itasca County.
Koochiching Economic Development Authority
The Koochiching Economic Development Authority (KEDA) is the lead economic development agency for Koochiching County and the City of International Falls in Minnesota’s beautiful border country. Economic development is about jobs and the KEDA was created to be the point-of-contact to assist and simplify the process of locating a business in Koochiching County or expanding an existing business. KEDA can assist with site selection and development, finance, and incentive options working with other economic development agencies, as well as act as a liaison between the various local units of government to handle all of the details of development.
Lake County
Within the boundaries of Lake County are four state parks, a National Forest, and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. All offer superior hiking, camping, fishing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and ATV trails. Bordering our county is the largest freshwater lake in the world, Lake Superior. Major industries in Lake County are mining, logging, wood products, shipping and transportation, manufacturing, health care, and tourism.
Minnesota Power
With more than 144,000 residential and commercial customers including 16 municipalities and some of the nation’s largest industrial clients, Minnesota Power provides reliable, economical energy and private sector leadership in economic development. We have the resources, connections, and experience to help companies find sites and secure capital for expansion and relocation projects in our 26,000 square mile service area.
Northspan Group, Inc.
The Northspan Group delivers high quality, professional business development and community development consulting services to clients in the Upper Midwest. We specialize in creative thinking, enterprising strategies, and effective approaches to help businesses, communities, regions, and organizations achieve their development goals and prosper in a global economy.
Two Harbors Economic Development Authority
The Two Harbors Economic Development Authority (THEDA) was established in 2010 to preserve and create jobs, enhance the city’s tax base, assist with certain housing initiatives, promote the general welfare of citizens, and to assume primary responsibility for development activities within the city.
Additional Resources
Compare the Northland to the rest of the world with the following sites:
Data.Census.Gov The U.S. Census Bureau has an extensive archive of data from the decennial US Census and annual American Community Survey (ACS). This tool provides access to a wealth of demographic and economic information. For assistance navigating the data, contact Northland Connection staff, which also has access to the more user-friendly Social Explorer tool.
DEED Data Tools The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development has a broad suite of data tools available that offer analysis and insights into the statewide economy and workforce.
CompareMinnesota Compare the state of Minnesota with the other 49 states within categories such as gross domestic product, general sales tax rates, and population estimates. There are 49 data sets from which to choose.
Minnesota Compass – Northeast Region Minnesota Compass is a social indicators project which measures progress in the state, seven regions, 87 counties, and larger cities including Duluth. It also shows data for several unique geographies in the Northland, including Duluth Neighborhoods and the Department of Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation service area.
Cluster Mapping – Duluth MN-Superior WI MSA This is a regional dashboard providing data on the economic performance, cluster composition, and sub-regional composition of the Duluth-Superior MSA.
Bureau of Economic Activity The U.S. Department of Commerce researches and provides data and statistics that are easy to print, save, or export. The BEA updates GDP and Personal Income data for this region.
Bureau of Labor Statistics The U.S. Department of Labor is responsible for measuring labor market activity, working conditions, and price changes in the economy. It retains past data for comparisons over time.
Minnesota Natural Resource Atlas A mapping tool from the University of Minnesota and supported by IRRR that provides information on natural resources across Minnesota (including soils, agricultural usage, mining uses and leases, and water quality) plus demographic data and political boundaries.