Minnesota Technology Becomes Enterprise Minnesota

Will be the Voice for Minnesota Manufacturers

Minneapolis, MN (June 16, 2008) – Minnesota Technology today became Enterprise Minnesota, a name that, according to its president Bob Kill, better reflects its mission and customers.

Enterprise Minnesota is a state-wide non-profit business consulting organization that provides products and services to help Minnesota manufacturers grow profitably. Initially chartered by the Minnesota State Legislature in 1987, Enterprise Minnesota is an affiliate of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) (www.mep.nist.gov). Enterprise Minnesota employs 32 people, 26 of whom are business specialists that work directly with manufacturers throughout the state.

“Manufacturers form the bedrock of many Minnesota communities. They offer high-wage, high-skill jobs that create economic opportunity and stability for the present and future,” Bob Kill said. “Today’s manufacturers compete on a landscape that requires innovation. Enterprise Minnesota helps manufacturers develop and apply strategies to keep competitive – and further position themselves for growth.”

He added that Enterprise Minnesota’s non-profit status enables it to focus more on a client’s success and the state’s economic prosperity than its own bottom-line.

The rebranding initiative includes its new name, logo, website (www.enterpriseminnesota.org), redesigned and refocused magazine, online monthly newsletter, and events lineup.

As chartered by the state legislature, Enterprise Minnesota required amending state statute in order to rebrand. Senator David Tomassoni and Representative Tim Mahoney authored the legislation to change Minnesota Technology’s name to Enterprise Minnesota.

“Manufacturing has been a large part of our state’s economy,” Kill said. “It is inevitable that the industry will continue to change, but we hope to be in-front providing the resources to adapt and grow.”

Since 1991, Enterprise Minnesota has helped over 6,700 Minnesota companies gain access to strategies that increase efficiency and promote growth. Resulting from the organization’s work, Enterprise Minnesota clients have realized a total positive economic impact of over $232.7 million dollars to their bottom line, invested over $293.1 million in modernization, and added or retained over 10,000 jobs.

#####

Enterprise Minnesota is a 501(c) 3 non-profit consulting organization that helps Minnesota manufacturing enterprises grow profitably. Chartered by the Minnesota State Legislature in 1987, Enterprise Minnesota is an affiliate of the U.S. Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnership) (MEP). Enterprise Minnesota offices are located in Minneapolis, Bemidji, Duluth, Moorhead, and Owatonna.