The State's Shining Star          

State Representative Bob Gunther considers Minnesota's manufacturing industry the state's "star of job creation."

In a recent interview with Enterprise Minnesota® magazine, State Representative Bob Gunther (Fairmont) praised Minnesota's manufacturing industry for the important role it plays in the state's economic development.

"Manufacturing is the star of job creation in Minnesota," Gunther said. "We're gaining more manufacturing jobs right now than we are any other category of jobs, and they're good paying jobs that will make Minnesota grow stronger."

As businesses continue to recover from the economic recession, Gunther believes manufacturing will lead the way in regaining a stable, vibrant business environment.

"I think manufacturers are the backbone of Minnesota's economy, and have been forever. The manufacturing industry emerged from the recession leaner and meaner, and as a result, I think there are fewer jobs per industry because everyone is now more productive. What we need to do now is have more manufacturing companies so we can continue to create more manufacturing jobs," he said.

Gunther added that legislators have a role to play in helping to create and sustain the right environment for manufacturers to thrive. Some of that work, he said, is being done with the Reform 2.0 Minnesota initiative, which aims in part to streamline government regulations.

"Right now, corporate taxes are pretty high in Minnesota. In the northeastern part of the state, we also have the largest deposit of copper and nickel in the nation, if not the world, and it's not being mined because the of the lengthy Minnesota Pollution Control Agency permitting process. We're trying to figure out how to accelerate that permitting process so we can kick-start another big industry," Gunther said.

Gunther also believes it's essential for the state legislature to partner with manufacturers in their quests for qualified workers.

"We have to connect with the industries in Minnesota, find out their needs and how we can fit in to help them find qualified workers," Gunther said. "We also have to make sure manufacturers feel comfortable hiring that extra person in the first place. It's a big commitment to hire another employee today. You have to look at so many things such as hospitalization costs and taxes and workers' compensation and unemployment insurance. We have to create a better environment for business and industry to thrive in Minnesota."

To that end, he encouraged manufacturers to voice their needs and concerns to legislators: "I think it's imperative for industry to come tell the legislature what they want. Just simply give your legislator a call or an email, introduce yourself and voice your concerns. Tell your legislator you would love to have him or her contact you any time for advice."
To contact Representative Bob Gunther, write to rep.bob.gunther@house.mn or visit www.house.leg.state.mn.us

Register for the 2012 State of Manufacturing®

Register today to attend any one of the eight rollout events scheduled from February 21-28 throughout the state. All attendees will receive a briefing of 2012 results, the February 2012 issue of Enterprise Minnesota® magazine, and the State of Manufacturing® book containing a narrative of the pollster's results, questionnaire results, several chapters of analysis by local experts, cross tabs and focus group transcripts.


Statewide event - Minneapolis
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Minneapolis Convention Center
Second Floor, Rooms 200A-J
1301 Second Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55403

Regional events will be held:

February 22 in Rochester at 8:30 a.m.
February 22 in Faribault at 11:00 a.m.
February 23 in Mankato at 9:00 a.m.
February 23 in Redwood Falls at 1:00 p.m.
February 27 in Alexandria at 9:00 a.m.
February 27 in St. Cloud at 1:00 p.m.
February 28 in Eveleth at 9:00 a.m.

All events are open to the public.

Register here 

This year's Statewide Sponsors include: Baker Tilly Virchow Krause LLP; RJF, A Marsh & McLennan Agency company;  Xcel Energy; M&I Banks, A part of BMO Financial Group; Gray Plant Mooty; Granite Equity Partners and Trusight.