AGP Executive Report

Data Center Siting Help: A University of Minnesota-led project with local governments in Byron, Lewiston and Stewartville is building practical tools for Minnesota leaders weighing power, water, land and workforce needs as data centers expand. Metro Impact Update: Minneapolis released an updated assessment saying “Operation Metro Surge” caused about $700 million in financial impact from Dec. 2025 through April 2026. Inflation Watch: May inflation jumped to 4.2%, the highest in three years, driven largely by higher energy costs tied to the Iran war. Agriculture & Trade: An American Soybean Association leader told a House panel that USMCA is helping soybean exports to Canada and Mexico, with a July review on the horizon. Farm Economy: U.S. wheat harvest progress continues despite rain delays across parts of the Plains. Consumer Lending Crackdown: Minnesota AG Keith Ellison sued Brigit, alleging the app-based “cash advances” are illegal payday-style loans with APRs often above 300%. Workforce Pipeline: Greater St. Cloud won a $50,000 FAME Catalyst Grant to launch Minnesota’s first FAME USA chapter and build manufacturer training partnerships. Commercial Real Estate: St. Cloud and Roseville listings highlight new development land near I-94 and a mostly leased retail-industrial building with major tenants. Local Infrastructure: A Minnesota contractor (PCI Roads LLC) is set to handle a Kansas bridge repair project on Toulon Ave over I-70, with one-lane traffic and minor delays expected.

Energy & Inflation: U.S. consumer prices rose 4.2% in May, the highest in three years, driven largely by higher fuel costs tied to the Iran conflict—pressuring household budgets and complicating rate-cut hopes. Market Regulation: The CFTC proposed new prediction market rules aimed at cracking down on bets tied to war, terrorism and assassination, while trying to keep most sports contracts trading. Local Energy Reliability: Three Minnesota electric co-ops issued a peak energy alert for parts of the region, asking customers to conserve during a high-demand window to avoid higher wholesale power costs. Construction & Infrastructure: MnDOT work will cause nightly I-90 and Highway 218 bridge detours near Austin, plus lane reductions and ramp changes around Highway 169 in St. Louis Park and Minnetonka starting June 15. Public Safety & Health: Essentia Health in Fargo began offering the Acessa procedure for uterine fibroids, giving patients a minimally invasive alternative to hysterectomy or hormone therapy. Auto Services: Falk Auto Body & Glass in Red Wing clarified mobile auto glass standards, including certification, insurance parity, ADAS calibration, and warranty protections. Policy & Community: A bipartisan push would expand naloxone access in elementary and secondary schools to reduce opioid overdose deaths. Crypto Fraud Crackdown: Delaware and New Jersey advanced bills to ban crypto ATMs, citing scam losses—joining Minnesota and other states that already moved to total bans.

Inflation Watch: Consumer prices jumped to 4.2% in May, the highest in three years, with energy costs tied to the Iran conflict pushing fuel and transportation higher—raising pressure on households and the Fed. COVID Accountability: Minnesota is among 18 states in a nearly $5M multistate settlement with GS Labs over overpriced and delayed COVID-19 tests; restitution and reimbursements are being routed to affected consumers. Local Governance: A Minnesota House bill would streamline how counties, sheriffs, and other agencies sign interagency agreements, including faster paths for sheriffs to work with federal partners. Agriculture & Forestry: The Minnesota Department of Agriculture plans aerial spongy moth “mating disruption” across 19 sites in southeast Minnesota in late June into early July. Public Safety & Services: Minneapolis leaders say Operation Metro Surge cost the city nearly $700M in lost wages and business closures, underscoring the economic hit to local commerce. Energy & Industry: A new CFTC proposal lays out the first federal framework for prediction markets, targeting event contracts tied to war and other unlawful conduct.

Transportation & Infrastructure: MnDOT is planning major Highway 12 ramp closures in Minnetonka and Wayzata starting June 10, plus longer-term work affecting I-394 and I-494, with detours in place. Local Projects: MnDOT will also hold a June 17 open house in Lake Benton on the Hwy 14 culvert replacement, with construction expected to run from late July into mid-October. Data Centers & Permitting: Minnesota’s data center debate is heating up as regulators weigh benefits against impacts like energy and water use; a Minnesota Court of Appeals ruling also says Faribault needed a more thorough environmental review for a proposed hyperscale site. Mining & Manufacturing Jobs: Mesabi Metallics says Minnesota’s first new mine and pellet plant in decades is moving into permanent staffing, with plans to hire about 200 long-term jobs on the Iron Range. Recycling & Waste: Olmsted County broke ground on a $52M materials recovery facility expected to be completed in 2027, aimed at boosting recycling and improving feed for its waste-to-energy operation. Agriculture & Environment: The Minnesota Department of Agriculture plans aerial spongy moth management across more than 112,000 acres in five southeastern counties, using mating disruption to reduce next year’s caterpillar damage. Public Health: A Salmonella outbreak tied to moringa leaf powder supplements has expanded to 119 cases across 36 states, prompting additional FDA recalls. Smart Home & Incentives: Lawrence, Minn., approved incentives for Alarm.com’s downtown office project, including a property tax rebate and industrial revenue bonds for construction materials.

Minneapolis Infrastructure: Construction has started on the George Floyd Square redevelopment, with crews replacing underground sewer and water lines and a major street closure planned through late 2027. Home Care Finance: PRN Funding expanded home care invoice factoring into Ohio, Minnesota, Florida and Missouri, aiming to help agencies cover payroll and staffing when claims take time to pay. Healthcare Expansion: CentraCare’s Plaza in St. Cloud is set to add more than 225,000 square feet, including six new ambulatory surgery operating rooms, in a $194M project. Agriculture & Forestry: The Minnesota Department of Agriculture plans aerial spongy moth “mating disruption” across 19 sites totaling about 112,211 acres in southeast Minnesota. Workplace Tech: A new report highlights that Minnesota employers are investing heavily in AI tools, but training often lags—creating friction as workers worry about falling behind. Aviation/Defense Procurement: Duluth-based Cirrus Design Corp. was added to a U.S. “Chinese military companies” prohibited contracting list, affecting Department of War deal eligibility. Local Business & Growth: Dangerous Man Brewing announced a June 13 grand opening for its new Minneapolis taproom.

Data Centers & Courts: Minnesota’s Court of Appeals ruled Faribault’s environmental review for a proposed Archer Datacenters project was inadequate, pushing the city to redo analysis of impacts like greenhouse gas emissions. Housing & Permitting: Sen. Amy Klobuchar says she’ll put Minnesota on track to build 100,000 new homes by cutting red tape and speeding permitting, while also backing incentives for communities that build. Public Works & Local Costs: Construction is underway at Minneapolis’ George Floyd Square, but nearby property owners are raising concerns about special assessments and potential displacement. Wildfire Tech: A St. Paul company is deploying “Heatwave Floats” that let aircraft scoop 800 gallons from lakes in about 15 seconds to speed up firefighting drops. Workforce Development: Rochester-area middle schoolers are getting hands-on career pathway training with local employers, including agriculture, construction, manufacturing, and IT. Immigration & Tech Hiring: A federal judge struck down Trump’s $100,000 H-1B fee as an unlawful tax, a potential relief for U.S. employers relying on skilled foreign workers. Broadband Access: A southern Minnesota internet provider abruptly shut down, leaving customers without service and sparking claims about competition and local actions.

Automation & Manufacturing: Forpak Automation named Tim Swedberg president, aiming to expand sanitary automation for food manufacturers. Immigration & Tech Hiring: A federal judge struck down the Trump plan to charge a $100,000 H-1B fee as an unlawful tax, a win for employers relying on skilled foreign workers. Construction & Local Infrastructure: Marinette Avenue lane closures begin today for underground utility work and pavement repairs. Healthcare & Rural Access: A $3.2M grant launches a Civica Rural Hospital Program to pool purchasing power and reduce generic drug shortages for rural hospitals. Food & Consumer Safety: Target recalled specific Up & Up baby wipes after FDA testing found bacteria that can be dangerous for immunocompromised customers. Energy & Renewables: Vanguard Renewables broke ground on a Minnesota anaerobic digestion facility, and Qualitas Energy acquired a 164 MWp solar PV project. Agriculture & Schools: Menahga and Pine Point schools received MDA farm-to-school grants totaling $1.3M statewide. Public Works: Construction started on Minneapolis’ George Floyd Square redevelopment, closing key intersections through late 2027. Business & Investors: PetVivo will host a virtual investor event June 16 on veterinary device access and Spryng. Policy & Public Health: Minnesota’s warning-label approach for social media youth safety faces legal challenge.

Local Construction & Business Impact: Minneapolis is starting a multi-year $15 million reconstruction of George Floyd Square at 38th Street and Chicago Avenue, aiming to restore vehicle and bus traffic while preserving the memorial—yet nearby owners say special assessments and construction disruption could hurt businesses and raise costs. Aviation & Training: Camp Ripley in Little Falls held a garrison commander leadership transfer, with Lt. Col. Steven Hall taking over from Col. Troy Fink as the National Guard training site continues modernization. Sports Branding in Minnesota: The Minnesota Timberwolves unveiled a new logo, uniforms, and court designs for 2026-27, blending franchise history with updated colors and tree-lined identity. Energy & Inflation Watch: A Federal Reserve Bank of Boston study finds today’s oil price shocks are adding less to inflation and have largely lost their employment impact compared with the 1970s. Aviation/Travel Expansion: MyFlyYatra says it’s expanding India flight routes from Newark, Minneapolis, and Houston, targeting major Indian cities with upgraded booking options.

Workplace Safety: A Nelson Telephone Cooperative construction supervisor was found dead at a Durand Township worksite after failing to report back; an autopsy is set and OSHA is investigating. Gambling & Regulation: Live-dealer “casino sweepstakes” are expanding, but lawsuits and enforcement letters are testing whether the “no purchase necessary” model truly keeps them out of regulated gambling. Energy & Environment: Australia filed a major PFAS “forever chemicals” lawsuit against Minnesota-based 3M over firefighting foam used at defense bases. Food Assistance: A federal judge blocked new USDA SNAP funding conditions tied to ideology and other policy requirements, pausing enforcement for states challenging the rules. Local Economy Watch: GasBuddy reports Hubbard County regular gas as low as $3.99 in the week ending May 30, with Minnesota’s average at $4.23. Minnesota Industry & Jobs: Several hiring notices highlight ongoing demand in manufacturing, construction, and trucking across the region.

Energy Infrastructure: Great River Energy told the Faribault County Board about a proposed 765 kV transmission line as regional electricity demand grows, with PowerOn Midwest (Great River Energy, ITC Midwest, Xcel Energy) pitching reliability and economic benefits. Agribusiness & Tech: University of Illinois researchers used satellite imagery and machine learning to map Midwest conservation tillage trends from 2000-2022, aiming to better track soil health impacts beyond farmer surveys. Local Economy & Housing: Minneapolis leaders are framing the Prince celebration as a boost to downtown recovery after Operation Metro Surge disrupted hospitality wages for thousands. Cannabis Industry: Minnesota’s Office of Cannabis Management held a Duluth listening session on the 2026 Cannabis Omnibus Bill, while federal THC/CBD limits by November could reshape the market. Environment & Consumer Safety: A state-by-state PFAS crackdown is accelerating, including Minnesota disclosure/restriction moves, and Target recalled two baby wipe types over bacteria contamination concerns. Public Policy: A federal judge temporarily blocked USDA funding conditions tied to Trump administration positions, keeping billions flowing for food assistance and research. Business/Planning: Albert Lea will consider zoning and parcel splits to support Vortex Cold Storage expansion, plus a vote on ending a half-cent local sales tax.

Energy & Industry: Xcel Energy and Google struck a new electric service agreement that shifts major buildout costs to Google, with Minnesota customers projected to save about $1.1B over the deal’s life (up to $1.5B over 15 years), including new generation and long-duration storage. Infrastructure & Jobs: Gov. Tim Walz signed a $1.2B Minnesota bonding bill covering water, asset preservation, and transportation, with major funding flowing to local governments and projects like bridge work. Tech & Materials: University of Minnesota researchers report a tiny atomic interface change that can tune metal electronic behavior, pointing to new ways to design advanced electronics. Public Works & Local Economy: Albert Lea’s council will consider zoning and parcel changes to support Vortex Cold Storage expansion, alongside a vote on ending a 20-year local sales tax. Logistics & Policy: Bipartisan senators from North Dakota and Minnesota introduced a Postal Delivery Accountability Act aimed at improving tracking and reducing chronic mail delays. Healthcare: M Health Fairview launched an air mobile ECMO/cardiac emergency program to extend life-saving care to remote areas. Agribusiness: Minnesota hog producers and industry updates highlight farm bill priorities and ongoing disease-control work. Workforce & Readiness: Oklahoma and Minnesota Air National Guard engineers trained together in Exercise Thunderwolf to improve interoperability ahead of deployments.

University of Minnesota Materials Breakthrough: Researchers showed they can tune metal behavior by engineering the interface between materials, using interfacial polarization to adjust the surface “work function” of ruthenium dioxide by more than 1 electron volt. Local Construction Updates: Marshall’s new Aquatic Center is moving through major concrete and tile work, while downtown Marshall’s College Drive/Main Street intersection is still weeks from reopening after rain slowed paving. Transportation & Infrastructure: MnDOT is updating funding formulas, and a separate bridge project will close a Mississippi River ferry for center-span installation in June, with detours in the region. Energy Costs: A new national map shows residential electricity prices rising fastest in parts of the country, with grid investment and demand pressures tied to data center growth. Food & Consumer Safety: Target recalled two baby wipe products over possible bacterial contamination. Agriculture & Industry: Minnesota farmers’ cleaner-water efforts and ongoing ethanol impacts on Midwest farmland values remain in focus, alongside reports of grain elevator consolidation in southeast Minnesota. Workforce & Community: Minnesota lifts the 2026 Beginning Farmer Tax Credit funding cap, and Rochester is planning a Disability Pride Celebration July 9.

Data Center Court Fight: A Minnesota judge halted Google’s Pine Island “Project Skyway” construction, saying the environmental review may not meet state requirements—raising costs and delaying the 482-acre campus. Agriculture & Rural Economy: CHS will close three southeast Minnesota grain elevators (Kasson, Ostrander, Wykoff) as markets shift toward processing like soy crush and ethanol. Farm Policy: Minnesota lifted the 2026 funding cap on the Beginning Farmer Tax Credit, reopening approvals for eligible asset owners and setting new lease/sale deadlines. Water Stewardship: Google pledged to replenish more water than it uses by 2030 and invest $17M in water projects across seven states, including work with Iowa farmers. Workplace Health Risk: A report highlights Parkinson’s links to pesticide exposure, warning farmworkers and nearby communities to take the risk seriously. Local Infrastructure Costs: Minneapolis property owners near George Floyd Square are upset about special assessments tied to a $15M street overhaul. Retail Expansion: Bosselman Pump & Pantry plans to buy 21 Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh locations, including a Lakeville, MN site, with a July 2026 closing target.

Critical Minerals & Manufacturing: Phoenix Tailings won a $66M U.S. Department of Energy grant to scale rare earth separation, partnering with MIT and the University of Minnesota to turn more domestic feedstocks into refined materials for defense, advanced manufacturing, and clean tech. Energy & Waste-to-Value: Groundbreaking in Litchfield will kick off a waste-to-renewable-energy project at Wagner Dairy, using anaerobic digestion to divert 300+ tons of organic waste daily and supply renewable energy to CenterPoint customers. Local Infrastructure: New Ulm City Council moved forward on a crosswind runway project at the municipal airport, lining up federal/state funding and annexation steps to support the runway realignment. Agri-Business Reshuffle: CHS plans to close or sell three grain elevator facilities in southeast Minnesota (Kasson, Ostrander, Wykoff) while continuing operations through the 2026 fall harvest. Public Health & Food Supply Risk: USDA confirmed a New World screwworm detection in a Texas calf, triggering a quarantine and rapid containment steps to protect the cattle industry. Healthcare Policy: Minnesota DHS completed a top-to-bottom review of nearly 5,600 high-risk Medicaid providers, disenrolling thousands and revalidating the rest. Transportation Planning: MnDOT will study two major intersection areas in 2026 near Cedar Mills/Dassel, with no funding or construction scheduled yet. Industrial Tech: Finout launched “Finout Agents,” a suite of AI agents aimed at detecting, investigating, and remediating cloud cost problems autonomously for enterprise FinOps teams.

Industrial Power & Data Centers: Google and Intersect broke ground on the Meitner Energy Center in Texas, a 1+ GW co-located data center and generation complex pairing wind/solar/batteries with on-site gas for reliability—another sign that power access is becoming a core siting factor for industrial growth. Minnesota Waterway Work: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is seeking public comments on a draft environmental assessment for an end-cell project at Lock and Dam 5 in Minnesota City, with construction targeted for late 2027–2028. Local Construction Impacts: Rochester’s St. Mary’s Hospital access is set to be limited starting Monday as Link Bus Rapid Transit construction closes 2nd St. SW at 14th Ave. SW through June 21, with traffic control plans for emergency routes. Agriculture Profit & Conservation: Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program farms posted higher net income than non-certified operations for the seventh straight year, reinforcing conservation practices as a long-term profitability strategy. Farm Policy Pressure: At a House Agriculture hearing, Rep. Angie Craig pressed USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins on SNAP fraud and fertilizer affordability tied to the Iran conflict, highlighting how federal data and costs are colliding for Minnesota producers. Ethanol Policy Watch: ACE CEO Brian Jennings says E15 momentum after House passage is pushing Senate action, with exports and tax credit rules also on the agenda. Transportation & Labor Signals: U.S. jobless claims rose to the highest level since February, a reminder that hiring and layoffs remain sensitive to economic uncertainty.

Agriculture & Biosecurity: The U.S. confirmed the New World screwworm fly in a Texas calf for the first time in decades, triggering a quarantine and renewed risk for cattle and other warm-blooded animals—an expensive threat Minnesota producers will be watching closely. Energy & Industry Policy: Minnesota is among states weighing nuclear power to meet surging electricity demand from data centers, but critics warn ratepayers could get stuck with massive costs and long timelines. Construction & Local Planning: New Ulm approved a rezoning on N. Highland Avenue to allow up to 16 homes, while residents question whether planned intersection changes at Center/Garden will truly fix school-day congestion. Logistics & Supply Chains: A new U.S. logistics report shows strong expansion in May, but higher transportation, inventory, and warehousing costs are tightening pressure on supply chains. Public Health: FDA is investigating fresh foodborne illness outbreaks, including Listeria and Cyclospora, while it continues work on Salmonella linked to moringa supplements. Workforce & Trades: Rochester-area employers signed nine new carpenter apprentices, signaling continued demand for skilled construction labor. Business Finance: Celcuity priced an upsized convertible notes offering, adding to Minnesota’s growing biotech and capital-markets activity.