Our Region
We proudly serve a region uniquely positioned at the western tip of the Great Lakes with exceptional natural assets, innovative industries, and resilient communities.
Who We Are
Northeast Minnesta
Our Northeast Minnesota territory encompasses seven counties featuring diverse landscapes from the North Shore of Lake Superior to the Iron Range, and from the port city of Duluth to the Canadian border.
Aitkin • Carlton • Cook • Itasca • Koochiching • Lake • St. Louis
Northwest Wisconsin
In Northwest Wisconsin, we serve three counties, an area encompassing Lake Superior shoreline, the Twin Ports harbor in Superior, and diverse economic sectors ranging from manufacturing to tourism.
Ashland • Bayfield • Douglas
Regional Strength
Strategic Location
Positioned at the westernmost point of the Great Lakes, our region offers multimodal transportation options including the Port of Duluth-Superior—the largest freshwater port in North America—along with rail, interstate highways, and international airports.
200,000 people in the 10-county labor force, with 17% commuting in from outside the region, proving we’re a regional employment hub.
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
Dexter Jacobs / Two Harbors, MN
Regional Strength
Raw Materials
Our region boasts extraordinary assets including vast forests and rich deposits of copper, nickel, helium, and precious metals. These resources support traditional industries like mining, forestry, and tourism while presenting opportunities for sustainable development.
St. Louis County has more mining jobs than 26 states, with average annual wages of $115,000, leading the nation in concentration and impact.
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
Story north / Grand Rapids, MN
Regional Strength
Skilled Workforce
With numerous higher education institutions, including the University of Minnesota Duluth, The College of St. Scholastica, and Lake Superior College, our region produces talented graduates in fields ranging from engineering to healthcare. Our workforce combines traditional industrial skills with innovative capabilities for the future economy.
Seven colleges and universities with 11 campuses enroll nearly 34,000 students, and over 70% of graduates stay to work in the region.
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
Story North
Regional Strength
Quality of Life
The APEX region offers an exceptional quality of life, balancing outdoor recreation, arts and culture, affordable housing, and excellent healthcare. Our communities provide the perfect environment for businesses and employees seeking work-life balance in a naturally beautiful setting.
Cost of living in Northeast Minnesota is 14% lower than the state average, and commute times are shorter than the Twin Cities metro.
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
Story North
Regional Strength
Innovation Ecosystem
From aviation pioneers at Cirrus Aircraft to emerging companies like BotCrew in robotics and Pulsar Helium in resource exploration, our region fosters innovation across sectors. The work of UMD’s Natural Resource Research Institute drives cutting edge applied science to the raw materials we find in our region. With developing initiatives in clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and digital technology, we’re building the foundation for tomorrow’s economy.
Transportation Equipment Manufacturing has grown 200% since 2014, adding nearly 1,000 jobs and showcasing the region’s strength in advanced industries.
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
Story North / Duluth, MN
Why Our Region?
We leverage these regional strengths to drive economic development that benefits both our communities and our investor-members.