AGP Executive Report

Energy & Land Use: Sauk Rapids is urging Minnesota regulators to reject the proposed Mayhew Lake 100-megawatt battery storage facility, arguing it would deliver far less tax value than future mixed-use development. Local Government & Costs: St. Cloud City Council will debate its 2027 maximum tax levy, with officials citing equipment failures and a budget deficit, while also weighing first permit-fee increases since 2007. Industrial Growth: Big Lake is considering a 125-job, 550,000-square-foot industrial project on 115 acres of agricultural land, touting streamlined local codes and ongoing development momentum. Agriculture & Risk: A Harvest Public Media look at Midwest farm stress highlights tight corn/soy margins, higher fertilizer and fuel costs, and disease threats that can quickly erase gains. Food Safety: The FDA says certain alfalfa sprouts are recalled after E. coli and Salmonella illnesses across 15 states. Utilities & Leadership: Owatonna utility leader Roger Warehime is honored with a posthumous leadership award from the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association.

Bird Flu Watch: Federal animal trackers at the University of Minnesota show a near-month gap before new H5N1 detections—three dairy herds (Texas and Utah) and larger poultry losses—raising questions about how quickly outbreaks are reflected. Ag Biosecurity: Minnesota is pushing to slow emerald ash borer spread, including efforts to establish tiny wasp-like biological controls, as ash trees face major losses across dozens of counties. Farm Safety: Minnesota’s agriculture safety push highlights grants for grain bin and rollover protection upgrades as harvest season ramps up risk for farm workers. Local Roads & Transit: Winona is weighing MnDOT’s Highway 43 redesign, including removing traffic signals and adding bike lanes—city feedback is due within 90 days. Higher Ed Leadership: Southeast Minnesota State College has an interim president focused on continuity, scholarships, and next year’s accreditation process. Construction & Infrastructure: MnDOT is moving ahead with the Osceola–Franconia County Highway 243 bridge replacement on the St. Croix, with rare mussels relocated and a mid-October 2026 closure planned. Renewable Fuel: A new Minnesota RNG project at a 2,000-cow dairy is injecting manure-based biomethane into interstate pipelines for cleaner transportation fuel. Consumer Repair Policy: “Right to repair” momentum keeps building, with Minnesota among states that have passed laws while enforcement remains a sticking point.

Minnesota Manufacturing & Retail: Ironwood’s Stormy Kromer is expanding beyond its iconic hats, adding more apparel and pushing a collegiate collection as it tries to grow its customer base; the Ironwood factory (about 70 workers) turns out roughly 550 hats a day to keep up with seasonal demand. Fed & Finance: Fed Chair Kevin Warsh is set to speak at Jackson Hole, with markets watching for clues on rates and inflation. Food Systems: Prairie Five Community Action opened a new food hub in Montevideo, investing about $1.1M to refurbish a former auto site and adding a consumer-choice shelf plus a commercial kitchen and rural meal deliveries. Agriculture & Environment: Pulsar Helium says it’s drilling ahead at its Topaz project near Babbitt and is leaning on new Minnesota permitting frameworks; meanwhile, emerald ash borer keeps spreading across about 60 counties as Minnesota releases tiny wasps to slow it. Labor Policy: Minnesota approved higher minimum wages for nursing home workers, with new floors taking effect Sept. 10. STEM Workforce Pipeline: Cirrus and STARBASE are teaming up to distribute 35,000 STEM experiment kits to Minnesota 5th graders. Trade & Input Costs: A Minnesota farmer is using ag science to cut nitrogen anxiety after fertilizer prices spiked during global disruptions. Public Health & Safety: Minnesota’s tree-drought stress warning continues as the state urges residents to water residential trees.

Food Safety & Retail: Whole Foods recalled multiple jalapeño-containing dips across 13 states, including Minnesota, after Salmonella contamination concerns. Consumer Goods: General Mills completed its push to remove certified artificial colors from all U.S. cereals, using natural color sources like turmeric and paprika. Local Business & Growth: Isanti approved a 12-month data center moratorium after earlier longer discussions, citing infrastructure and water limits. Energy & Infrastructure: MnDOT set a Sept. 14 start for Highway 75 bridge repairs in Climax, using a design-build approach to speed delivery. STEM & Workforce Pipeline: Cirrus and STARBASE packed hands-on STEM kits for Minnesota 5th graders, pairing classroom learning with industry mentors. Public Health & Environment: Minnesota DNR urged residents to water stressed residential trees during hot, dry conditions. Tech & Compliance: CSP C-Store Cannabis Board partnered with Element Training to expand hemp/cannabis compliance education for convenience-store operators. Youth Safety & Big Tech: Meta agreed to new protections for teens on Facebook and Instagram in a multistate settlement, with Minnesota’s share reported between $214M and $307M. Immigration Enforcement: New ICE arrest data shows activity rising again nationwide, including Washington, after earlier declines.

Retail & Consumer Tech: Best Buy reported Q2 FY27 results with enterprise comparable sales up 4.1% and operating income as a % of revenue at 4.3%, citing strength in major categories plus Best Buy Ads and Marketplace. AI & Data Centers: Forbes highlights Nvidia’s data center surge as it beats expectations, underscoring how AI spending keeps driving Minnesota-area tech demand. Public Safety Training: Lakeville’s FiRST Center is now open, giving first responders a large, scenario-based training space with ranges, VR rooms, and classrooms. Local Government & Infrastructure: Otter Tail County approved a $1.18M bridge project replacing culverts near Bluffton, with federal/state funding and county approach grading costs. Water Security: CISA says more than 100 internet-exposed water systems were targeted in July, with Minnesota among the early-hit states—raising pressure on utilities to harden operational tech. Agriculture & Food Supply: USDA crop insurance claims are running ahead of last year, and farmers got an extra premium-payment window; meanwhile, Minnesota researchers are studying whether modern farming is sustainable by comparing erosion rates to the ice-age transition. State Fair & Industry Culture: The Minnesota State Fair opens today with new foods, agriculture exhibits, and big attendance expectations—plus Minnesota’s emerald ash borer response continues with tiny wasp releases.

Immigration & Courts: A federal judge denied Minnesota’s emergency bid to force Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to extradite former ICE agent Christian Castro, saying the dispute wasn’t legally “ripe” yet because Abbott hasn’t formally rejected the request. Big Tech & Youth Safety: Minnesota is set to receive at least $214M (up to $307M) from Meta as part of a multistate $17.1B settlement over teen social media addiction, with new default safety limits for ages 13–17 on Facebook and Instagram. State Economy & Infrastructure: The Minnesota Transportation Alliance met in Rochester with legislators and industry leaders to push for funding and policy priorities, including Rochester’s Link bus rapid transit plan targeting fall 2027. Food & Manufacturing: General Mills completed removing certified colors from all U.S. cereals, including Lucky Charms and Trix. Energy & Daily Costs: GasBuddy reports show low E15 and premium prices in parts of southern Minnesota, while overall fuel prices remain sensitive to refinery and oil-market conditions. Community & Health: The Minnesota State Fair is urging blood donations with Red Cross sign-up and walk-in options. Local Planning: Faribault is exploring ways to address the 7th Street “can opener” bridge clearance problem as part of its reconstruction work.

Aerospace & Manufacturing: Cirrus Aircraft reported strong H1 2026 results, with revenue up to $737M (+24%) on higher aircraft deliveries and growing services demand. Industrial Services: APi Group said its leadership will appear at the Jefferies Global Industrials Conference (Sept. 9), underscoring continued investor focus on safety, security, elevator and infrastructure services. Energy & Infrastructure: St. Cloud broke ground on Fire Station 6 and a training facility, approved by voters in 2024, with completion expected in late 2027. Public Works & Local Planning: Sawyer County’s zoning committee approved a $98,500 consultant bid to rewrite its zoning ordinance, starting Oct. 1. Trade & Agriculture: Canada matched U.S. tariffs with up to 50% duties on about $20B of goods, set to begin Sept. 8—raising new pressure for Minnesota farmers already caught in the U.S.-Canada trade war. Environment & Forestry: Minnesota’s emerald ash borer fight continues as the pest is confirmed in Hayward, Wisconsin, signaling ongoing regional spread and the need for local planning. Community & Conservation: Minnesota’s push for a Citizens Conservation Advisory Council gained major support at Game Fair, with candidates backing the idea and survey results showing broad approval. Business & Consumer: Target shares slid after a Halloween costume backlash tied to racist minstrel stereotypes, with the retailer pulling the item and apologizing.

Agriculture & Energy Policy: The RANCH Act would pay to restore up to 20 million acres of grassland to help rebuild the U.S. cattle herd, while Minnesota cattle producers warn Trump’s beef import plan could squeeze ranchers. Trade & Cost Pressures: Canada’s retaliatory tariffs (up to 50%) are raising alarms for Minnesota consumers and industries tied to Canadian supply, with petroleum exports flagged as a possible escalation lever. Mining & Environment: MPCA fined United Taconite about $23,000 for emissions testing violations at its Fairlane pellet plant. Local Industry & Growth: Electromed posted record FY2026 revenue and profit; Eagan’s development pipeline includes a new distribution center, data center work, and major car wash/retail projects. Workforce & Economy: DEED says Minnesota added 44,092 jobs over the past year and unemployment fell to 4.3%. Food Safety: Alfalfa sprouts tied to E. coli and salmonella outbreaks continue to drive recalls and consumer concern. Tech & Public Safety: Faribault revived a data center moratorium discussion after litigation delays, and Ely restored stoplight control after MnDOT safety studies. Business & Real Estate: Minneapolis saw the PURE Lowry apartment building sell for $18.8M, and a new Callaway-Waldoch Silverado “Launch Edition” is limited to 100 units.

Wildfire Response: Massachusetts is sending a third wildland firefighting crew to northern Minnesota for about two weeks as multiple Boundary Waters-area fires keep burning, with drought and dry conditions driving higher risk. Energy & Cybersecurity: Iran-linked hackers are suspected in a British power disruption, echoing earlier Minnesota water-system cyberattacks that raised alarms about protecting critical infrastructure. Critical Minerals & Mining: A Western Caucus Congressional delegation toured Alaska’s Estelle gold and critical minerals project, underscoring continued federal focus on U.S. mineral supply chains. Ethanol Fuel Expansion: The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association won national recognition for expanding E15 access, citing growth from 84 retailers in 2015 to 550+ stations and record E15 sales. Agriculture Policy: South Dakota and Minnesota cattle leaders back the RANCH Act as an alternative to beef import plans, pushing for grassland restoration and mandatory country-of-origin labeling if imports proceed. Workforce & Licensing: Minnesota’s veterinary technician law change is now in effect, tightening the “licensed veterinary technician” title to improve clarity and standards for animal care. Industrial EV Growth: Range Zero Emissions announced acquisitions and a Hyundai Translead partnership to expand West Coast coverage of medium-heavy duty commercial zero-emission trucks. Food Safety: Minnesota is tied to a multi-state alfalfa sprout outbreak, with health officials linking E. coli and salmonella cases to a Minnesota supplier.

Iron Range Industry & Environment: The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says United Taconite missed an emissions testing deadline at its Fairlane taconite plant and issued a penalty over the air permit violation, while Cleveland-Cliffs disputes the enforcement. Trade & Agriculture: U.S. senators led by Minnesota’s Amy Klobuchar pressed USDA over a major beef export data error that was later revised sharply, raising concerns for farmers and markets. Cattle Policy: South Dakota Sen. Mike Rounds and Klobuchar backed the RANCH Act as an alternative to expanded beef imports, pairing it with mandatory country-of-origin labeling. Cross-Border Tourism: Northern Minnesota businesses in Cook County’s border region are bracing for fewer Canadian visitors as trade tensions and wildfires squeeze sales. Energy & Infrastructure: Ontario Premier Doug Ford threatened to cut electricity and critical minerals to the U.S. as the Canada-U.S. tariff fight escalates, while Minnesota engineers are also upgrading culverts in state forests to handle more severe storms. Local Business & Construction: Coon Rapids advanced a site plan for a new Vermak European Windows and Doors manufacturing facility, and Excelsior approved partial demolition of the historic Dock Cinema for a mixed-use redevelopment. Food Safety: Alfalfa sprouts tied to multi-state E. coli and salmonella illnesses continue to drive recalls and warnings affecting Minnesota and Wisconsin. Consumer Fraud: BBB Scam Tracker data shows multiple Minnesota cities tied for mid-level scam reporting ranks in July, including Champlin and Austin.

Food Safety Recall: Everything Sprouts, based in Minneapolis, is recalling certain Alfalfa Sprouts lots tied to an E. coli and salmonella outbreak that has sickened at least 55 people in 15 states, including Minnesota and Wisconsin. Local Infrastructure: MnDOT will run night work on Highway 53 in Hermantown with lane closures and flashing stops from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for six nights, weather permitting. Industrial Real Estate: Oppidan Investment Company broke ground on Rogers Gateway, a 117,000-square-foot speculative industrial project in Rogers, targeting completion in November 2026. Energy & Power Supply Chain: nVent Electric agreed to acquire Maverick Power for $1.75 billion (plus up to $550 million in performance cash), expanding its data-center power distribution offerings. Agriculture & Labor: Farm families are still waiting on H-2A reform as labor shortages linger, with growers relying heavily on temporary workers. Policy & Trade: The U.S.-Canada trade fight escalated after talks collapsed, with 50% U.S. tariffs taking effect—raising new pressure for Minnesota farms and manufacturers.

Trade & Inflation Watch: The U.S.-Canada trade fight is escalating fast, with 50% U.S. tariffs hitting about $20B of Canadian goods and Canada promising dollar-for-dollar retaliation starting Sept. 8—while Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari warns the back-and-forth could extend inflation. Consumer Impact: New reporting says tariff refunds are flowing to major U.S. companies (Walmart, Target, Apple, Ford, Home Depot, Nike, Amazon), but consumers likely won’t see much relief. Minnesota Roads: MnDOT bridge repairs in Rochester will start Monday, with right-lane closures on the 16th St SW bridge and Highway 14 bridge near Marion Road, expected to wrap by Thursday noon. Food Safety: Everything Sprouts alfalfa sprouts are tied to a multistate E. coli and Salmonella outbreak (55 sick, 4 hospitalized), prompting recalls across multiple states including Minnesota. Cybersecurity: Iran-linked hackers reportedly shut down a British power plant for four days; Minnesota officials have previously blamed similar activity for brief automated shutdowns and boil-water notices. Local Fraud Signals: BBB Scam Tracker shows Rochester and Byron each logged scam reports in July, with 93 Minnesota cities tied for 55th. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reports show low spot prices in parts of Minnesota (including Chippewa County premium at $4.63 and Grant County E15 at $3.64).

Cybersecurity & Energy: Iran-linked hackers reportedly shut down a UK power plant for four days, prompting the government to brief power executives and push cybersecurity guidance; the incident is being watched alongside recent US water-system attacks. Food Safety: Minneapolis-based Everything Sprouts recalled alfalfa sprouts tied to an E. coli and Salmonella outbreak that sickened 55 people across 15 states, including Minnesota; consumers are told to throw away affected lots and sanitize surfaces. Local Governance & Transportation: In Grand Rapids, Itasca County leaders reviewed Minnesota rules for e-bikes and scooters and flagged South Hwy. 169 as a crash hotspot, responding to rising complaints and fatality concerns. Cannabis Policy: Grand Rapids is weighing a municipally owned cannabis dispensary, with supporters citing revenue and critics questioning government involvement in retail. Agriculture & Innovation: A St. Paul student, John Liu, is advancing a lithium-recovery project using corn stalks and wheat straw, turning farm waste into a potential battery-material feedstock.

Cybersecurity & Energy: Iran-linked hackers reportedly shut down a UK power plant for four days, raising alarms after recent attacks on US water infrastructure. Food Safety: Minnesota-based Everything Sprouts LLC is under investigation as an alfalfa sprout outbreak grows to 55 sickened across 15 states (E. coli and Salmonella), with Minnesota and Wisconsin hit hardest. Agriculture Funding: The Minnesota Department of Agriculture awarded $1.6M via its Nitrogen Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizer Discount program to help farmers adopt nitrogen-saving products through retailer point-of-sale discounts. Trade & Industry Costs: Canada announced retaliatory tariffs on the US after talks collapsed, with potential impacts including steel, dairy, appliances, agricultural equipment, and electronics—while Minnesota businesses and consumers brace for ripple effects. Local Business & Recognition: Maple Grove engineering firm AE2S earned a 2026 AEC Circle of Excellence award for strong management practices. Energy & Local Economy: Omni Brewing in Rosemount added a 176-panel rooftop solar array to cut operating costs and run a meaningful share of its brewery on solar. Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker shows Minnetonka tied for 26th in scam reports in July, with online purchase scams driving losses.

Food Safety: The FDA and CDC say 55 people in 15 states have been sickened by an outbreak tied to alfalfa sprouts from Everything Sprouts (brands Calco and Everything Sprouts), with four hospitalizations reported; officials advise consumers to discard affected product and sanitize contact areas. Energy Infrastructure: Swift County is preparing for survey work on the Big Stone South to Alexandria 345-kilovolt transmission line, a roughly $574 million project that will use easements and include environmental and geotechnical borings. Local Power & Zoning: Sauk Rapids Mayor Jason Ellering plans to ask the city council to oppose a proposed 100-megawatt battery energy storage facility, arguing it could undercut future tax revenue in a mixed-use development area. Land Access & Conservation: Minnesota’s Walk-in Access program received $2.1 million from USDA to expand public access to private lands for wildlife recreation. Mining Debate: A Boundary Waters copper-nickel mine discussion continues, weighing Iron Range diversification claims against watershed and wilderness concerns. Public Safety (Cyber): The FBI warns cybercriminals are targeting water systems nationwide; Minnesota is among states reporting attacks, and utilities are tightening protections. Community & Industry: University of Minnesota President Rebecca Cunningham visited the Steele County Free Fair to discuss how the university can better serve Minnesota communities, including agricultural education.

Food Safety: Minnesota health officials and the CDC say a multistate outbreak of E. coli and salmonella is linked to alfalfa sprouts grown by Everything Sprouts and sold under the Calco and Everything Sprouts brands, with 55 illnesses reported across 15 states and four hospitalizations; Minnesota cases include multiple STEC strains, and officials warn higher-risk people to avoid sprouts or cook them thoroughly. State Infrastructure: MnDOT will hold a Sept. 2 open house on the Highway 169 Revitalization in North Mankato, a two-year project that will reshape intersections, add pedestrian/bike underpasses, and include major detours in 2027. Local Economy/Manufacturing: IEDA Board approvals include tax credits and grants supporting manufacturing job creation and university-led strategic infrastructure projects (Iowa). Agriculture/Policy: Minnesota hemp farmers are adjusting as a looming federal ban on most hemp-derived THC products approaches in November, with some switching crops and others struggling to sell stored biomass. Public Health/Community: Rural leaders are set to discuss childcare, housing, and healthcare gaps at Compeer Financial’s Rooted and Rising forum in Owatonna. Transportation/Workforce: Duluth’s Chamber named Jim Roche as interim president, following leadership changes after a DWI-related departure. Health Care (Human Interest): An Alexandria-area Minnesota woman with end-stage renal disease says she’s on dialysis and waiting for a kidney donor match, with Type O and tissue matching needs.