MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (July 17, 2026) — The Minnesota Business Partnership yesterday convened over 120 business, civic, and elected leaders to reinforce the strengths that make Minnesota unique and the shared responsibility the business community has to shape what’s next.
The Forum included a presentation by Morning Consult Founder and CEO Michael Ramlet on recent data highlighting Minnesota’s reputation both in state and nationally, perceptions of the state and business community pre- and post-Operation Metro Surge, and the attitudes of Minnesota’s workforce toward a future with increased AI. The Partnership Forum was hosted at Best Buy Corporate Headquarters in Richfield, Minnesota.
“Today’s conversation reinforced what makes Minnesota unique and where our opportunity lies. The research shows that Minnesota has a strong foundation and a compelling story to tell, while reminding us that we cannot take our competitive position for granted,” said Erika Nelson, Interim Co-CEO of the Minnesota Business Partnership. “It is up to all of us to continue building on the strengths that make this state a place where businesses, talent, and communities thrive. “The data and discussion throughout the Forum provide an important foundation for the Partnership’s work in the months ahead,” continued Abby Loesch, Interim Co-CEO of the Minnesota Business Partnership. “They reinforce the importance of advancing policies that strengthen Minnesota’s competitiveness, support employers and workers, and help ensure our state remains a place where businesses choose to invest, innovate, and grow.”
“If you lead a Minnesota-based company, you have a stake in this. Which means you need to be in the conversation,” said Medtronic CEO and Minnesota Business Partnership Chairman Geoff Martha. “Minnesota’s future will be shaped by leaders willing to show up now — and do the work to keep this a place where people want to come, work, and stay.”
The presentation by Morning Consult particularly underscored that while Minnesota loyalty in the workforce is present, it’s not unconditional. In addition, the two waves of research, one before Operation Metro Surge and one after, showed that Minnesota’s national reputation hasn’t shifted significantly.
Here are some highlights:
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Minnesotans correlate the strong quality of life in Minnesota with business presence including large employers. (64%)
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Minnesotans believe state leaders should work to recruit and retain large employers in Minnesota (63%)
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The business community should be more vocal about issues that affect the state’s economy. (56%)
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Forty percent of Minnesotans believe we are prepared for the economy of the next 10 years.
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Four in five Minnesotans see themselves living in the state for the next five ye
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ars, but nearly half also say they would leave the state if the right opportunity presented itself.
Following the Morning Consult presentation, Ali Kaplan, Director of Engagement and Innovation at the Star Tribune, hosted a panel of leaders including Beth Wozniak, Chair and CEO of nVent, Christophe Beck, Chairman, President, and CEO of Ecolab, Gunjan Kedia, Chairman and CEO of U.S. Bancorp, and Russ Becker, President and CEO of APi Group. These Partnership leaders noted that businesses must seize this transition as an opportunity to upskill current workers and embrace the use of artificial intelligence.
Here is the one-pager at the Partnership Forum: Framing Minnesota’s Future