AGP Executive Report

AmeriCorps Fight: Minnesota AG Nick Brown and a coalition of states reached a settlement blocking the Trump administration from dismantling AmeriCorps again without warning, protecting FY 2026 funding and participants after earlier reinstatements of nearly $400M and releases of $184M. Mining & Water Protection: Talon Metals’ proposed copper-nickel sulfide mine in Tamarack is moving through Minnesota’s DNR review, with a public comment period running through Sept. 14 as critics warn sulfide mining can contaminate water. Energy & Infrastructure: Plymouth approved a 12-month moratorium on large data centers over 50,000 square feet, while MnDOT work continues on Highway 23/7 in Clara City with an all-way stop project expected to finish in October. Workforce & Community Tech: The Works Museum in Bloomington is recruiting volunteers for Xcel Energy’s Day of Service, highlighting hands-on engineering learning and the nonprofit’s reliance on community support. Legal/Finance: UnitedHealth asked a Minnesota federal court for a quick appeal in a 401(k) forfeiture dispute. Fuel Prices: GasBuddy reported diesel at $5.19/gal in Redwood County (week ending Sept. 5), with statewide diesel averaging $5.62.

Mining & Permitting: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers extended the comment period on the NorthMet Mine permit for NewRange Copper Nickel, pushing submissions to Sept. 27 as the project seeks a new tailings management location and design tweaks. Industrial Policy & Costs: A White House decision on refined copper tariffs is still pending, with officials weighing reshoring benefits against the risk of higher prices for manufacturers—an issue that’s already driving inventory builds. Iron Range Air Oversight: Minnesota’s MPCA opened a public comment period on a draft air permit amendment for Mesabi Metallics, updating monitoring and allowing technical changes tied to heaters and storage tanks without changing emissions limits. Workforce & Training: Dakota BioWorx launched a pilot-scale biomanufacturing training effort aimed at building a skilled workforce for national security and supply-chain resilience. Agriculture & Skills: Animal Agriculture Alliance’s College Aggies Online program kicks off Sept. 21 with $18,000 in scholarships and online mentor support. Local Makers & STEM: Rochester’s Med City Makerspace is planning a 2027 opening after reaching 100 founding members, aiming to make tools and learning more accessible for healthcare-leaning STEM careers. Energy & Infrastructure: Mesabi Metallics’ permit updates and the NorthMet process both underscore how Minnesota’s industrial future hinges on permitting timelines and compliance.

Manufacturing & Energy Investment: Niron Magnetics marked major progress on its Sartell facility with a steel-raising event, supported by Honda investment, $150M in loans from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community and the U.S. Department of War, plus a $52.2M federal tax credit and a $10M Minnesota Forward Fund grant; the plant aims to produce iron nitride magnets at commercial scale by 2027. Public Works & Infrastructure: Detroit Lakes crews are moving through phases of the West Lake Drive and City Beach project, including watermain, storm sewer, street rebuilds, and new multi-use trail work, with additional beach amenities planned. Local Governance & Safety Facilities: Beloit City Manager Daniel Ortiz Hernandez proposed a new police station on Springbrook Court, targeting a 65,000–70,000 sq.-ft facility and related support buildings on city-owned land to avoid land purchase and demolition costs. Workforce & Skilled Trades: Rochester-area unions endorsed Rep. Brad Finstad, citing support for project labor agreements, Davis-Bacon, pensions, and funding for jobs and apprenticeships. Housing & Oversight: A Minnesota audit found gaps in how assisted living and group homes are licensed, including late inspections and report-card ratings that may not reflect serious maltreatment findings. Agriculture & Livestock Research: South Dakota State University held a ribbon cutting for a $1.8M swine facility expansion, funded by regional pork and corn groups, adding wean-to-finish capacity and research space. Community & Service: Dress for Success Twin Cities highlighted its warehouse work supporting more than 14,000 Minnesota women since 2010, with volunteers packing “confidence kits” for Day of Service. Business & Markets: H.B. Fuller announced it will report third-quarter 2026 results on Sept. 23 and host an investor call Sept. 24. Environment & Planning: Minnesota DNR kicked off its 2026 fall color forecast, warning drought and heat may subtly dull or shift peak color timing.

Food Safety: FDA expanded an E. coli recall to include Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend sold at Walmart, alongside earlier GreenWise berry lots from Publix; Minnesota is now on the list of affected states. Healthcare & Manufacturing: Nuwellis says its financial efficiency push is improving gross margins after moving Aquadex production to contract manufacturer KDI, extending its operating runway into 2027. Logistics & Local Impact: Minnesota-based TA Dedicated donated freight to move air purifiers and filters to Northern Minnesota wildfire communities, coordinating through ALAN and Minnesota trucking partners. Agriculture & Community: Aitkin and McGregor food shelves are getting fresh produce via a Minnesota Department of Agriculture Farm to Food Security grant, paying local farmers and boosting food access. Energy & Infrastructure: A public forum in Mapleton, N.D. will tackle data center impacts on water and power, with Minnesota-based Geronimo Power in the mix. Workforce & Safety: Authorities are investigating a deadly workplace accident at a Perham-area manufacturing plant. Business & IP: Norton Rose Fulbright added a Dallas partner to deepen its IP disputes bench, citing growth in technology-related litigation risks.

School Meals & Access: Vermont tops a new 2026 State of School Lunch report, with Minnesota among states pushing to reach more students through lunch and breakfast programs. Food & Dairy Economy: A study tracks which ice cream brands Minnesotans search most, underscoring how dairy manufacturing and summer demand drive jobs and spending. Maternal Care Capacity: A University of Minnesota report finds hundreds of U.S. hospitals lost obstetric services from 2010-2024, with a big share of rural hospitals still without them by 2024. Public Safety & Water: Tioga’s Pokegama Lake public water access in Minnesota closes for a $500,000 ADA and safety rebuild through late October. Energy & Utilities: Owatonna Public Utilities projects 0% electric rate increases for 2027 and the next five years, while noting water and gas changes. Housing Costs & Insurance: Home insurance rates rose nearly 47% nationwide since 2020-2025, with Minnesota among the hardest-hit states. Local Business & Jobs: Lincoln Industries plans to close its Pine Island plant and lay off 55 workers, filing a WARN notice. Agriculture & Training: SMSU highlights agriculture research with an Agronomy Field Day and Ag Bowl. Antitrust & Food Prices: General Mills, Mars, and McKee Foods join sugar-collusion litigation, aiming at inflated sweetener costs. Weather as a Civic Service: Minnesota’s National Weather Service office highlights how forecasting supports everything from aviation to daily life.

Data Centers & Power Demand: A new wave of community pushback is hitting Minnesota as big computing facilities move forward, with residents worried about electric bills, water use, noise, and grid strain. Private Finance Tech: U.S. Bank rolled out a “Private Waterfall Engine” to automate alternative fund calculations, including carried interest and performance fees—aimed at speeding private fund launches. Agriculture Expansion: Stevens County approved a conditional use permit for Riverview’s West River Dairy expansion to up to 18,855 cows, with the next step tied to a Minnesota DNR water permit. Farm Innovation on Display: The Chef’s Table/Day on the Farm event near Moorhead spotlights practical ag tech, from a robotic weed-killer to perennial sunflower research and specialty crops. Public Health: A hepatitis A outbreak tied to imported frozen clams has reached 37 cases across four states, with most hospitalizations and new attention on child exposure. Workforce Snapshot: Minnesota’s labor picture is under scrutiny after a January unemployment spike, with reporting tying it to fear and disruption from immigration enforcement. Cyber & Water Security: A new focus on protecting drinking-water systems from cyberattacks is gaining attention as threats to critical infrastructure expand.

Highway & Infrastructure: MnDOT is resuming work on the Hwy. 61 tunnel project north of Two Harbors, with single-lane traffic through late October. Industrial Real Estate: CBRE says Twin Cities industrial vacancy is 4.4% and industrial rents could rise 5% to 6% through 2027, though data-center moratoriums and limited land are keeping developers cautious. Manufacturing & Food Processing: Ardent Mills is putting its historic Hubbard Mill complex in Mankato up for sealed bids, with a Oct. 15 deadline and a minimum bid under $1M, as the company explores redevelopment options. Construction & Local Projects: The Upper Harbor Terminal amphitheater at Minneapolis’ waterfront is taking shape, with an 8,000-seat Community Performing Arts Center expected to open next summer (two years later than planned). Energy & Agriculture Costs: Diesel prices are driving up harvest costs for Minnesota and Iowa farmers, with a congressional analysis citing higher fuel spending during the 2026 planting season. Fuel Prices Watch: GasBuddy reports show wide variation across Minnesota for regular, midgrade, premium, E15, E85, and diesel—useful for drivers and small operators planning routes and refueling. Policy & Trade: A U.S.-Canada tariff fight is framed as politically targeted ahead of U.S. midterms, with Canada signaling retaliation. Workforce & Education: A Minnesota State University, Mankato partnership program (RESEPI) is expanding rural STEM experiential learning with local schools.

Labor Market Snapshot: Minnesota’s unemployment jumped above the national rate in January for the first time since 2007, with labor participation falling sharply—linked by state officials to fear and disruption tied to a winter immigration enforcement operation. Public Works: Phase two of MnDOT’s Highway 61 tunnel lighting upgrades resumes Sept. 8, finishing LED improvements in the Lafayette Bluff and Silver Creek tunnels. Transportation Safety: A back-to-school reminder focuses on Minnesota school bus rules and why small speed changes matter for safety and carbon. Broadband Funding: Rural internet projects face delays as states wait for federal guidance on how to spend remaining BEAD money. AI & Privacy: A federal judge kept Minnesota’s AI “nudification” ban in force against xAI while the constitutional fight continues. Mining & Water: The Mille Lacs Band urges Minnesotans to weigh in on the Tamarack nickel mine’s Environmental Impact Statement, warning water impacts won’t respect boundaries. Agriculture & Costs: Minnesota farmers and ranchers at the State Fair discussed farm bill and beef import pressures, while hockey families warn Canada tariffs could push up gear prices. Health & Science: A COVID study points to immune cells tied to autoantibody production, overlapping with pathways seen in lupus. Legal: A Boston jury awarded $88M in a hernia mesh MDL case, boosting settlement leverage for thousands of plaintiffs.

Medical Tech Leadership: Anteris Technologies (ASX:AVR) named Brent Moen as its new CFO as it pushes forward with its DurAVR transcatheter heart valve and global clinical program. Fuel Prices Watch: GasBuddy reported spotty but notable lows across Minnesota counties for the week ending Aug. 29, including regular at $3.79 in Winona County and diesel at $4.99 in Houston County, with statewide averages still higher than last week. Construction Fraud: A Minnesota pool contractor, Charles Ray Workman, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for wire fraud after taking down payments from 21 customers and failing to complete projects. Agriculture Policy: The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is collecting public input on the socioeconomic impact of large-scale dairies after MPCA decided not to require an Environmental Impact Study for a proposed West River Dairy expansion near Morris. EV Charging Buildout: MnDOT plans to invest $41M+ in new DC fast chargers, targeting stations every 50–75 miles along major US and state highways. Rural Livestock Concerns: Minnesota cattle producers are bracing for potential price pressure after Trump’s plan to temporarily allow more foreign beef. Workforce Mental Health: MDA and partners are offering free fall trainings for farm suicide prevention, including QPR for Agriculture sessions in Worthington and Marshall.

Cybersecurity & Critical Infrastructure: Britain is warning that Iranian-linked hackers could target water systems, after U.S. probes tied attacks to more than 30 Minnesota water facilities. Energy & Data Centers: A new poll finds 60% of Minnesotans oppose data centers, as officials cite a growing pipeline of proposals and residents raise concerns about land, power, water use, and costs. Local Power Reliability: Detroit Lakes Public Utilities GM Vernell Roberts was recognized by the American Public Power Association for modernizing the system and keeping rates among the lowest in Minnesota. Defense Innovation: Wisconsin is seeking a “front door” hub status to connect defense assets to industry and research, with Minnesota’s aerospace complex cited as a model. Civil Legal Aid: Justice North, formed from a merger, is expanding free civil legal services across 33 counties in Northern Minnesota. Mining & Politics: State Rep. Lisa Demuth highlighted mining priorities on the Iron Range during visits with federal and state allies. Public Safety & Fraud: BBB Scam Tracker shows Minneapolis and St. Paul lead Minnesota scam reports, with Anoka among cities reporting rising losses. Sports Business: MLB is weighing roster and pitching-rule changes after blowouts increasingly feature position players on the mound.

Wildlife & Pollinators: Le Sueur’s “Ferry Garden” is drawing monarchs to liatris and other native flowers, with the owner tying the project to long-running habitat lessons and a Monarch Waystation commitment. Community & Sports Media: The hockey world is planning the Jessi Pierce Community Cup in St. Paul to honor Jessi Pierce and her three children after a White Bear Lake house fire. Local Business & Immigration/Trade: A Minnesota State Fair vendor is sharing how Nepal tragedy is hitting her family and her business that employs women making handmade goods. Mining & State Politics: State Rep. Lisa Demuth highlighted northern Minnesota mining priorities during Iron Range visits, arguing mining can be part of Minnesota’s future “safely.” Public Health & EMS: Minnesota is pushing to raise bystander CPR rates after data showed only 39% of people attempted CPR in cardiac arrest outside hospitals. Energy Costs: GasBuddy reports show diesel and multiple gasoline grades hitting county-by-county lows in the week ending Aug. 29, with statewide averages generally higher than the prior week. AI Regulation: A federal judge upheld Minnesota’s ban on AI “nudification” tools, allowing fines to proceed while the case continues. Environmental Policy: A Trump plan to rescind the Roadless Rule is drawing alarms about potential logging and mining impacts near the Grand Canyon. Wildlife Management: Trump’s order starts a federal review that could change protections for gray wolves, with Minnesota listed among states with large populations.

Minnesota DNR Digital Hunting Shift: Minnesota hunters now validate deer harvests through the DNR website/app instead of using physical tags, a change that could trip up less tech-savvy hunters. Public Health & Food Safety: A Salmonella outbreak tied to broccoli sprouts has sickened 16 people across three states, with no recall issued yet—leaving shoppers to rely on state advisories. Workforce & Training: Minnesota moves veterinary technicians to required licensure starting July 1, 2026, aligning the state with most others and reshaping entry paths at schools like Ridgewater. Energy Costs: Diesel hit a record high nationally and in Minnesota, with AAA citing global fuel disruptions tied to the Iran conflict—raising transport costs for freight, farming, and groceries. Local Governance: Sherburne County residents packed budget town halls to challenge a proposed 9.6% levy increase, pushing back on unfunded state/federal mandates. Industry & Construction: MnDOT schedules a high-traffic I-394 to I-94 ramp closure Sept. 11-14 for bridge repairs, with detours via major routes.

School Funding Vote: Minnesota districts are watching a Nov. 3 constitutional amendment tied to the Permanent School Fund that could lift per-student support from about $68 to $101 without raising taxes. Mining & Local Business: Governor candidate Lisa Demuth toured a Mountain Iron supplier making rubber linings for mining equipment, arguing mining shutdown plans threaten small manufacturers. Food Safety: Walmart frozen berry recalls expanded again after E. coli concerns tied back to a Chilean supplier, including Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend sold in 16 states (including Minnesota). Public Health & Environment: Great Lakes scientists warn blue-green algae in Lake Superior is becoming more frequent and may signal worsening lake health. Local Economy & Data Centers: Duluth-area businesses are cutting ties with the Chamber after it backed a Hermantown data center, calling the move a betrayal. Manufacturing Growth: Niron Magnetics is moving forward on a major Sartell plant, targeting up to 175 jobs and opening in 2027. Permitting Watch: New building permits were published, including multiple residential remodels and commercial projects across the Fargo-Moorhead area.

EPA & Permitting: The Trump administration is pushing an EPA proposal that would let states issue air permits for data centers and other industrial projects without a binding public-notice and comment step, raising alarms that communities could lose a say while developers move faster. Labor Day Energy Costs: AAA reports Labor Day 2026 gas prices are on track to hit a record, with crude volatility tied to Middle East risk keeping prices elevated. Minnesota Agriculture: Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative says 2026 sugarbeet pre-pile harvest is pointing to strong root yields, with early digs in the 25–28 tons per acre range. Local Industry & Construction: A West Babbitt Development Project paving schedule slips about 10 days due to subcontractor delays, though officials still target Sept. 30 infrastructure completion. Workforce & Culture: Prairie Business highlights the region’s 2026 “Best Places to Work,” with engineering, construction, manufacturing, tech, healthcare and more represented among top employers. Minnesota Manufacturing Spotlight: Hibbing’s Electric Power Door says it designs and builds custom secure vault and blast doors, using U.S.-sourced steel from local taconite mines.

Food Safety: Walmart shoppers in Minnesota and 15 other states are being told not to eat Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend (10 oz; UPC 7874211226; lot 6040 01-6; best-by Feb. 9, 2028) after an expanded E. coli O145 recall tied to a Chilean supplier. Energy & Infrastructure: The U.S. Forest Service will keep its Grand Rapids research lab open after a reorganization review, while Minnesota drivers get Labor Day travel reminders from MnDOT as construction and crashes can slow trips. Power Grid Planning: Midcontinent Grid Solutions is seeking public feedback on the BECI project, a major transmission plan that would connect proposed lines across the region and aims to cut congestion and avoid new power plants. Labor & Industry: The United Steelworkers says it’s returning home after weeks of talks with Cleveland-Cliffs and U.S. Steel, with about 4,000 Minnesota taconite-plant workers still operating under an extended contract. Local Business & Community: Initiative Foundation Main Street grants have pushed more than $4M into Central Minnesota projects, leveraging $34M+ in additional investment. Public Lands: Banning State Park’s campground will close starting Sept. 8 for shower-building replacement, with 2027 camping lost and a reopening planned for 2028.

Manufacturing Deal: Stellar Industries (Iowa) is acquiring Luverne-based Midwest Fire, keeping Midwest Fire’s headquarters and operations in Luverne while expanding Stellar’s work truck lineup into fire and emergency response. Workforce & Training: A letter urges Minnesota to expand apprenticeships and skills training—doubling registered apprenticeship slots—to feed shortages in biotech, health care, construction, and advanced manufacturing. Public Safety Tech: RedVeil says it launched an AI-driven procurement relief package for municipal water systems after Minnesota-linked cyberattacks, aiming to help public works teams find vulnerabilities faster. Outdoor Recreation Policy: Minnesota DNR is moving deer hunting away from physical tags to a mostly online digital validation process, which could be tough for hunters without smartphones. Biomanufacturing Expansion: The University of Minnesota’s Minnesota Biomanufacturing Services is expanding fivefold on the St. Paul campus, boosting capacity for microbial and fungal fermentation used in pharma and environmental applications. Wildland Firefighting: A new $6.3M DNR air tanker and helibase operations center is under construction at Range Regional Airport in Hibbing, with completion targeted for mid-October. Agriculture & Soil Health: Farmers and experts met in Crookston for a Northwest Minnesota Tillage Expo focused on reducing soil erosion and improving reduced-tillage practices.