AGP Executive Report

Boundary Waters Mining: Gov. Tim Walz signed an executive order halting Minnesota state review, permitting, and new leases for nonferrous copper-nickel mining in the Rainy River Headwaters watershed tied to the BWCAW, directing agencies to pause work while litigation and rulemaking play out; Twin Metals still faces separate environmental reviews and permits, and the order is set to expire unless extended. Local Energy & Infrastructure: CenterPoint Energy announced “10 Commitments for Texans” aimed at transmission resiliency projects, with longer property-owner feedback timelines, local tax benefits, affordability focus, and Texas job creation. Rare-Earth-Free Manufacturing: Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community approved $150M debt financing for Niron Magnetics’ first Sartell plant, targeting 1,500 tons of magnets annually and up to 175 jobs starting in 2027. Healthcare Workforce: Minnesota nursing home workers are set for final federal-approved wage floors starting Sept. 10, with pay rising across four job categories and another increase planned Jan. 1. Ag & Food Inputs: Farmers report no quick fixes for high input costs as USDA expands fertilizer production and competition; spring wheat harvest is moving faster than last year across major growing states. Cannabis Supply Chain: Moorhead’s Adams Independent Testing is one of a handful of Minnesota-licensed labs, testing adult-use and hemp products for potency and contaminants. Housing & Publishing: Minneapolis budget coverage spotlights renewed interest in four-unit buildings (“Freyplexes”); Coffee House Press scored Booker Prize longlist buzz for a Minnesota-published title.

Boundary Waters Mining: Gov. Tim Walz issued an executive order blocking new nonferrous mining permits and leases in the Rainy River headwaters, stopping state agencies from cooperating in federal environmental reviews—drawing pushback from some Northland lawmakers who want case-by-case permitting. Meat Processing Expansion: Minnesota Farmers Union opened an $8M slaughter and processing facility in Staples, aimed at easing rural producers’ long trips for processing and strengthening local supply chains. Tourism Spotlight: Duluth and Northern Minnesota are set for a national audience with a new TV series, “Lake Superior Living,” highlighting the region’s properties and community. Consumer Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker data put Madison Lake among 93 Minnesota cities tied for 55th in July scam reports, with one reported incident and a $95.58 loss. Gas Prices: GasBuddy reports show midgrade and E15 prices easing in parts of Minnesota in the week ending Aug. 8, with several counties listing single lowest-price stations. Public Health: A study using University of Minnesota-linked research found low immunity levels for hepatitis A and B among US adults, setting a baseline as guidance shifts. Cybersecurity Risk: Reports of cyberattacks on US water utilities highlight ongoing gaps in protection for smaller systems. Social Media Trial: A consumer protection trial against Meta began, with states alleging addictive features harmed children and that Meta misled the public.

Boundary Waters Mining Freeze: Gov. Tim Walz is issuing an executive order to block nonferrous mining in the Boundary Waters area, directing DNR and the Pollution Control Agency to stop new leases and permits and to review existing ones. Agriculture & Soil Health: A new global study links soil degradation to lower crop output, finding that reversing degradation could boost yields enough to feed tens of millions more people. MDA Farm Support: The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is seeking 11 members for its Emerging Farmers’ Working Group, with applications due Sept. 14. Duluth Lakewalk Work: A Duluth Lakewalk segment is closed from Tuesday through October for a coastal improvement project, with a detour posted and work continuing into next spring. Local Business & Construction: Rice County approved a $95,524 contract to repair the courthouse chimney and replace boiler venting, requiring a temporary boiler shutdown. Energy & Infrastructure: Duluth and other Minnesota-area projects continue to move forward, while Minnesota’s broader energy buildout remains in focus.

Climate & Energy Funding Fight: The Trump administration admitted canceling more than $7.5B in federal grants last October, including a $50M Minnesota Power award, with filings saying the decision hinged on whether recipients were in Democratic states—though some Minnesota projects were later reinstated. Quantum Manufacturing: IonQ closed its $1.8B acquisition of SkyWater Technology, bringing three fabrication facilities (including Minnesota) and aiming to shorten the long iteration cycles of quantum chip production. Payments Leadership: Deluxe named Kevin Jones president of its Merchant Services division after acquiring Celero, positioning the unit as a major non-bank merchant acquirer. Local Infrastructure Work: Duluth scheduled a Lakewalk closure for bypass-trail construction at Leif Erikson Park through October, with further work continuing into 2027. Agriculture Policy: USDA expanded emergency haying and grazing on Conservation Reserve Program acres for wildfire-impacted producers, including Minnesota counties. Minnesota Courts: A federal judge rejected DOJ demands for unredacted Minnesota voter rolls, calling the effort a “fishing expedition.” Public Media Consolidation: Austin’s KSMQ will consolidate with Twin Cities PBS, rebranding as Minnesota PBS and reshaping southern Minnesota broadcast options. Workforce & Housing Pressure: Sen. Amy Klobuchar visited St. Cloud to hear how Central Minnesota’s growth needs more housing, workers, childcare, and infrastructure. DNR Feedback: Minnesota DNR is accepting public input on the Lake Shaokatan vegetation management plan update through Aug. 31.

Ethanol Policy & Markets: The American Coalition for Ethanol holds its 39th annual conference Aug. 19-21 in Minneapolis, with sessions on E15/E85 retail, trade, plant efficiency, and the 45Z clean fuel tax credit. Manufacturing & Trade Resilience: Northern Tool + Equipment’s Burnsville-based shift in production and operations is highlighted as tariffs reshape sourcing and push more work back toward Minnesota. Agriculture Exports & Field Tech: A Taiwanese delegation toured a Faribault-area soybean and corn operation, spotlighting Minnesota’s export strength and precision farming practices. Cattle Herd Rebuilding: Producers in parts of southwest Minnesota are still retaining heifers, but drought and feed access are making herd rebuilds rare elsewhere. Robotics Education: Northern Minnesota Robotics Conference opened the North STAR Center in Bemidji to support regional student robotics teams. Food Safety Watch: University of Minnesota Extension addresses rising cyclospora cases nationwide and urges Minnesota consumers to keep eating fresh produce while following safe handling and recall guidance. Cybersecurity & Water Risk: Reporting says Minnesota has seen cyberattacks targeting water systems, and the White House is pushing a new approach to fight transnational cybercrime. AI Advertising Standards: Marketing Architects in Minneapolis expands tools to help humans and AI judge TV creative quality using a seven-criteria framework. Infrastructure Update: MnDOT will close I-35 lanes near Mesaba Avenue overnight Monday for beams on a new pedestrian bridge, with detours in place.

Energy Prices Watch: GasBuddy reports show E85 and E15 deals popping up across Minnesota in the week ending Aug. 8, including $2.90 E85 in Benton County and $3.64 E15 in Big Stone County, while diesel stayed higher statewide (Renville County’s low hit $4.95). Local Governance & Energy Efficiency: Rochester City Council is set to vote on a $100,000 energy efficiency rebate pilot, funded from council contingency, with residential rebates ranging from $100 to $2,000. Agriculture & Research: Central Lakes College will host its CLC Ag & Energy Research Center Field Day Aug. 28, featuring topics like 60-inch corn, cover crops, drone applications, precision irrigation, and hands-on children’s activities. Food & Compliance: FDA inspection updates continue in Minnesota, including Sturdiwheat Foods in Goodhue County (Voluntary Action Indicated) and A. H. Hermel Candy and Tobacco in Nicollet County (Voluntary Action Indicated). Community & Public Safety: UI Health Care employees are pushing back on higher parking permit rates, and Remer Area Ambulance Service named EMT Jennifer Welk EMT of the Year.

Local Planning & Housing: Deer River City Council approved zoning code updates, including higher residential sidewall and building height limits, expanded multi-family unit caps, revised parking rules, and drafted an excessive water usage forgiveness ordinance. Agriculture & Community Events: Itasca County Fair returns Aug. 19-23 with livestock, 4-H projects, arts and family entertainment, celebrating the U.S. 250th anniversary. Food & Supply Chains: Chipotle’s automated recall process helped it quickly narrow a salmonella outbreak to jalapeños and swap in new batches before broader government recalls. Energy & Land Use: Minnesota researchers found retired farmland under solar panels can regain native plants and pollinators fast—native bees surged within about four years. Transportation & Infrastructure: MnDOT warned of Highway 52 detours in Rochester tied to a five-week ramp realignment and an I-90 bridge deck pour. Workforce & Industry Skills: Leviathan Robotics Rampage brought Minnesota and Wisconsin high school teams together to re-engineer machines and mentor newer students.

Airport & Construction: Owatonna’s Degner Regional Airport is getting extra pavement reconstruction, with a $672,900 bid approved by the city—well under the $1 million estimate—after subsurface repairs and new apron repaving and tie-down replacements. Energy & Manufacturing: New U.S. power additions in 2026 are being dominated by solar and battery storage, with utility-scale solar and batteries far outpacing new wind and natural gas. Cybersecurity & Policy: The Trump administration is pushing a plan that would let private companies hack foreign cybercriminals under federal contracts, a major shift from government-led operations. Agriculture & Food Supply: Minnesota’s ag economy keeps showing up in policy and industry updates, including work tied to pork producers and farm-focused legislation. Local Consumer Fraud: BBB Scam Tracker data shows Maple Grove and other Minnesota cities seeing reported scam activity, with fake invoice/supplier bills and unwanted subscription charges among common types. Workforce & Education: Minnesota schools continue reporting on state testing participation and proficiency, with Monroe Elementary’s 2024-25 reading results highlighted. Aviation Industry: Cirrus is expanding its Grand Forks manufacturing footprint by more than 30,000 square feet to meet growing demand, including plans to manufacture composites for a new flight training aircraft.

Bridge & Infrastructure: Minnesota and Wisconsin unveiled the design and schedule for the $1.8B Blatnik Bridge replacement, keeping a similar look but adding safety upgrades, a tied-arch design, and a 12-foot pedestrian/bike path; demolition starts March 2027, with the new span installed by winter 2031 and work continuing into June 2032. Energy & Climate: Olmsted County finished four solar installations at Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo/Chester Woods Park, funded in part by the state’s Solar on Public Buildings program, to cut long-term operating costs. Mining & Semiconductors: University of Minnesota researchers say low-purity Iron Range ore can be converted into semiconductor-quality pyrite, pointing to cheaper materials for solar, batteries, and electronics. Steel Decarbonization: A new report finds direct reduced iron could cut emissions about 40% versus blast furnaces, with Minnesota’s Iron Range included among evaluated regions. Food Safety & Manufacturing: Taylor Farms expanded its jalapeño recall tied to a Salmonella outbreak, with Minnesota retailers among those affected. Local Business: Anhorn’s Gas & Tire in Medford marked a $900,000 renovation with grants and community support to keep a third-generation shop competitive. Public Policy: Voters will decide whether Minnesota Permanent School Fund distributions increase for all districts starting July 1, 2027. Retail Expansion: Costco opened in Otsego with a packed grand opening and first-day sales expectations around $1.3M.

Public Safety & Water Security: Minnesota reported coordinated cyberattacks on water treatment facilities in more than 30 communities, part of a wider wave of malicious intrusions hitting utilities across multiple states. Transportation & Construction: MnDOT says the northbound Hwy 52 on-ramp to eastbound I-90 in Rochester will close starting Aug. 17 for about five weeks for realignment. Agriculture & Processing: American Crystal Sugar kicked off its 2026 pre-pile sugarbeet harvest in the Red River Valley, starting factory runs weeks ahead of the main stockpile harvest. Manufacturing Expansion: Cirrus celebrated opening an expanded Grand Forks manufacturing facility, adding 30,000+ square feet to boost production capacity for its aircraft lineup. Senior Living: Minnetonka-based Certus Living is rolling out a new wellness program and expanding memory care under its “Life By Design” philosophy. Local Government & Tax Burden: Wadena County is pushing the state and Enbridge to fix pipeline pollution-control tax credit valuation disputes so rural taxpayers aren’t stuck with repayment costs. Food Safety: A frozen raw dog food recall is expanding after possible salmonella contamination, with multiple states affected. Community Design: Eagan Art House, designed by JLG Architects, earned three sustainability and recreation awards for its geothermal, solar, and low-carbon build.

Workplace & public safety: Federal DHS subpoenas in Minnesota reportedly targeted labor unions and a climate group during the anti-ICE protest crackdown, pulling in years of financial records even where no crime was alleged. Immigration policy: The DNC advanced a resolution calling for abolishing ICE, signaling Democrats may sharpen their message ahead of 2026. Healthcare & biotech: The FDA approved the first mRNA flu vaccine for adults 50+, a new option expected this fall. AI in everyday health: A new report highlights how more Americans are using AI chatbots for health advice—helpful for some, but raising privacy and “delay care” concerns. Outdoor & health guidance: A mold/air quality expert urges Minnesotans to check outdoor air pollution daily and protect themselves during poor-air days, following wildfire-smoke impacts. Minnesota business & nonprofits: Hammer & NER named Matt Buley as its next CEO, effective July 27. Local industry/innovation: Wambolt will debut its Ready-To-Go gear storage system at Outdoor Retailer in Minneapolis. Sports business: The Minnesota Forge pro volleyball team was unveiled for a winter start, as women’s sports momentum keeps building.

Aerospace Expansion: North Wind broke ground on a $1B+ Aerospace & Hypersonic Research and Testing Complex in Rosemount, aiming to modernize aging U.S. ground-testing capacity. Public Safety & Health: A mold and air-quality expert urged Minnesotans to check outdoor pollution daily and take indoor precautions during smoke-heavy stretches. Energy & Fuel Prices: GasBuddy data showed E85 hit as low as $2.64 in Sherburne County and regular gas as low as $3.84 in Sibley County for the week ending Aug. 8. Food & Retail: THC beverages face a tougher road as federal rules could cap THC in hemp products, putting restaurant operators in limbo. Business Restructuring: Winnebago Industries announced manufacturing alignment moves, including relocating towable production and consolidating lines, with some facilities set to close and be offered for sale. Local Infrastructure: Rochester-area Highway 52 work tied to I-90 was pushed to Aug. 17 due to rain risk. Civil Rights Watch: Court filings allege a broad DHS surveillance operation in Minnesota targeting protesters and unions during the Metro Surge immigration crackdown. Cyber/Scam Risk: Minneapolis logged 83 scam reports in July, the highest among 147 Minnesota cities tracked by BBB Scam Tracker.

Sports Media & Streaming Costs: Minnesota fans may pay about $1,500 a year to watch all the state’s pro teams as coverage fragments across team apps and services, with the Twins moving to Twins.TV and the Wild/Wolves/Lynx scrambling after Main Street Sports shut down. Accessibility & Aging in Place: Access North marked its 2,000th ramp build with a new ramp in Hibbing, highlighting how home modifications help residents stay put. Local Infrastructure: MnDOT will close Hwy. 52 both directions at the I-90 interchange southeast of Rochester starting 5 a.m. Aug. 14 for bridge-deck work, with detours in place. Construction & Permitting Watch: Monticello Tech’s revised data center application (Aug. 3) adds more engineering detail, but the operator and key specs still aren’t finalized as the city reviews completeness. Public Health & Food Safety: Whole Foods expanded a salmonella recall tied to jalapeños, affecting prepared foods across multiple states. Energy/Environment: Monticello plans to remove up to 423 ash trees this fall through DNR ReLeaf funding as Emerald Ash Borer continues spreading. Regulatory Oversight: The CFTC warned prediction market platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket about deficient incentive filings and manipulation risks. Business Finance: Vireo Growth authorized a share buyback program starting Aug. 17 under an NCIB.

Minnesota Environment & Research: The University of Minnesota won $23.3 million through the state Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund for 34 projects aimed at protecting water, boosting climate resilience, and conserving habitat. Food & Agriculture: Vanilla is getting a spotlight in Minnesota, with a University of Minnesota survey showing big support for vanilla and year-round ice cream habits, as the school prepares to unveil a 175th-anniversary flavor. Retail & Rural Supply: Tractor Supply is planning its first Grand Rapids store, with construction starting in August and an early-2027 opening, targeting farming, pets, gardening, and home/outdoor needs in northern Minnesota. Transit & Infrastructure: Hennepin County advanced funding discussions for Metro Transit’s Blue Line Extension, a 13-station, 13.4-mile light-rail plan from Target Field toward Brooklyn Park, with projected daily ridership and noted past utility delays. Business Growth: Tierra Encantada, a Minneapolis-area early education franchise, landed on the Inc. 5000 list for 2026, highlighting rapid revenue growth and job creation. Public Health & Food Safety: A major jalapeño recall expanded after hundreds reported sickened, with Minnesota retailers named among those affected. Local Economy & Housing: Rochester’s mayoral primary results showed Joe Powers and Jess Garcia leading, with affordability and ongoing construction cited as top issues. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reports show scattered low-price pockets for E85 and premium fuel across Minnesota counties, reflecting continued volatility in regional pricing. Manufacturing & Outdoor Goods: Winnebago Industries approved a quarterly dividend increase, signaling continued capital returns while investing in product and operations.

Cybersecurity for utilities: Minnesota confirmed hackers hit about 36 municipal water systems, with more states reporting similar intrusions as experts warn small operators lack resources and federal support. Agriculture & manufacturing policy: Minnesota AG Keith Ellison told Farmfest the Deere repair settlement is a win for rural access to diagnostic tools and manuals for independent shops, but he says the right-to-repair fight isn’t over. Minnesota politics: Peggy Flanagan won Minnesota’s DFL U.S. Senate primary, beating Angie Craig, signaling voters want a more progressive message. Elections & local governance: Hennepin County District 3 advanced Marion Greene and engineer Abdihakim Ibrahim to the November ballot. Hemp regulation: Sen. Rand Paul backed a one-month delay on a federal hemp ban, saying lawmakers still need a workable long-term solution. Energy & infrastructure: CenterPoint reminded Minnesota customers to call 811 before digging after thousands of damages tied to unmarked lines. Food safety: Taylor Farms expanded jalapeño recalls tied to salmonella, reaching more retailers and states, including Minnesota. Sports-business crossover: The Vikings named Kyler Murray QB1 over J.J. McCarthy, a decision that could reshape fantasy and player usage.

Food Safety Recall: Chipotle’s “guac signal” set off a fast internal recall push, and Taylor Farms’ jalapeño recall keeps expanding as salmonella-linked products pull from Trader Joe’s, Walmart, Target and more. Public Health & Compliance: The Minnesota 811 Day reminder is blunt: call before you dig—CenterPoint says thousands of gas-line damages happen when underground lines aren’t marked. Cybersecurity for Industry: A new push targets municipal water systems after attacks in multiple states; Minnesota lawmakers are backing stronger EPA cybersecurity authority for drinking water and wastewater. Local Government & Costs: Crystal’s 2027 levy plan is getting softened as the city trims its budget increase and debates staffing moves like a police co-responder role. Real Estate & Logistics: NorthPoint bought two Eagan warehouses for $27M, and Maple Grove advanced a revised plan for 86 townhomes with added sidewalks. Mining & Workforce: Trump’s administration announced $180M for mining education, including grants tied to South Dakota Mines. Aviation Deal: SC Aviation acquired Heartland Aviation to expand charter, management and maintenance across the Upper Midwest. Business Updates: Electromed will report Q4 fiscal 2026 results Aug. 25; Horizon Fitness bought a St. Paul industrial building for $6.325M.