The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is directing nearly $43 million toward five large projects expected to create more than 260 new jobs, retain nearly 2,900 existing positions, and leverage close to $693 million in private investment statewide.
Four companies — Boston Scientific, Dem-Con HZI Bioenergy, Ecolab and Louisiana-Pacific — will each receive $10 million from the Minnesota Forward Fund to support major expansions. Boston Scientific will use its award to grow its Arbor Lakes campus in Maple Grove. Dem-Con HZI Bioenergy in Shakopee will apply its funding toward a public–private partnership with Ramsey and Washington counties to build and operate the Minnesota Renewable Energy and Organic Waste Anaerobic Digestion Project.
Ecolab plans to invest $500 million to modernize and expand its Eagan research and development campus, with the state contributing $10 million toward that effort. Louisiana-Pacific will put its $10 million award toward purchasing and developing a 120‑acre site in North Branch for a new 200,000‑square‑foot manufacturing facility.
The University of Minnesota will receive nearly $3 million to establish a microelectronics and semiconductor technology center in partnership with Polar Semiconductor and Honeywell Aerospace — an investment aimed at strengthening Minnesota’s role in a strategically important industry.
DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek said the awards reflect the state’s commitment to supporting business growth and reinforcing Minnesota’s competitiveness.
(More details here.)
