Minnesota’s diverse economy is reflected in the 226 business expansion projects that were publicly announced in 2018 and tracked by DEED. These projects were spread across the state and involved companies of all sizes in more than 40 industries.

While complete data is not available for all of the projects, these expansions represent at least 8,829 new jobs and 1,672 retained jobs. They also reflect new investment of at least $2.4 billion and over 7.5 million square feet.

“Minnesota has one of the most diverse state economies in the country, and these business expansion projects reflect that,” said DEED Commissioner Steve Grove. “We want to invest in an economy that fosters innovation and allows the startups of today to become the Fortune 500s of tomorrow.”

Among the firms that announced expansions were finance and insurance-related technology startups such as Sezzle and ClickSWITCH – both of which announced plans in 2018 to double their staffs – as well as health care technology and medical device companies such as OmniTier, NovuHealth, Sansoro Health and Relievant Medsystems, which moved from California to Minnesota last year.

Manufacturing – especially in the areas of food and beverage, medical equipment, machinery, plastics and rubber products – as well as computer-related industries saw particular growth last year. (See page 7 of the report for more.)

Some of the projects listed received financial assistance from DEED through various programs including the Minnesota Job Creation Fund and Minnesota Investment Fund.

“The expansion incentive funds through the state were differentiators for Uponor’s recent growth and ability to create jobs in both Apple Valley and Hutchinson,” said Bill Gray, president of Uponor North America, an Apple Valley based pipe manufacturing company which has expanded 11 times in Minnesota since 1990.

“If it weren’t for these state resources, we may have considered expanding in another state or country,” Gray added.