For the past year and a half, when Andrew Busta walked into manufacturing facilities in northwest Minnesota he knew there was a good chance he’d be met with puzzled looks.
“I’m Andrew with Enterprise Minnesota,” he’d say before clarifying. “I’m the new Bill.”
Busta — a business development consultant covering 19 counties across north central and northwest Minnesota — stepped into his role following the retirement of his predecessor, Bill Martinson, who spent decades building relationships across the region.
Busta is working to honor that legacy while establishing his own presence among rural manufacturers. His work as a business development consultant focuses on connecting manufacturers — many of them small, rural employers — with resources, insights, and opportunities that can support growth.
“It’s definitely relationship-based,” Busta says. “A lot of what I do is getting to know people.”
A warm handoff
During a six-month transition period, Martinson introduced Busta to many of his long-standing connections, bringing him to meetings and making sure key clients had the opportunity to get to know him face-to-face.
“I took him to everybody I thought he should have a relationship with,” Martinson says. “It was important to get him in front of people and let them see how he works.”
That people-centric approach reflects both the realities of rural business culture and Busta’s own professional path, which gives him plenty of relationship-building experience.
Raised in Glyndon, Minn., near the Fargo-Moorhead area, Busta studied business economics at South Dakota State University without a fixed career plan.
“Sales was always kind of top of mind, but I was pretty open,” he says.
After college, he took a job as a freight conductor with the railroad, a role that brought him to Minot, N.D. In Minot, Busta launched and operated a pest-control business, building on experience he gained working for Cass County’s mosquito-control program during college summers. He scaled the business as a solo operator.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, Busta pivoted again, this time into agriculture. He became a farm manager, overseeing operations that grew from roughly 2,000 acres to more than 10,000 acres during his tenure. The role included managing labor, including H-2A workers.
“It gave me a different perspective on operations, growth, and workforce challenges,” he says.
In 2021, Busta transitioned into outside sales with Acme Tools, selling capital equipment to farmers and construction businesses. The role marked his first formal entry into professional sales.
“Price matters, but relationships are what make or break the deal,” he says.
Making lasting connections
That philosophy continues to guide his work at Enterprise Minnesota, which he joined in 2024. Busta assumed responsibility for a broad and geographically dispersed territory that stretches from Clay and Crow Wing counties north to Roseau and Kittson.
“One of the biggest things up here is connection,” Busta says. “A lot of manufacturers might be the only employer within 30 or 60 miles. Being able to share what’s happening in the industry, whether things are slowing down or picking up, can be really valuable.”
Busta also helps identify grant opportunities, provides referrals to third-party service providers, and serves as a sounding board for business owners navigating challenges.
“In my territory, we’re sometimes a networking resource, in addition to being a consulting resource,” he says. “Questions are always free. If they reach out, we’ll help them find answers or point them in the right direction.”
That role can be especially important for smaller companies that lack human resources or strategic planning expertise. Busta often connects them with vetted partners or shares insights from other manufacturers facing similar challenges.
Martinson says Busta brings a natural ability to build those connections.
“As he continues to build relationships and learn the industry, that really sets him up for success,” he says.
Strong vision for the future
Busta’s goal is to strengthen the manufacturing ecosystem across Greater Minnesota, ensuring that rural companies remain competitive and connected. “I want to develop a really strong network where manufacturers continue to build relationships with each other, have access to resources, and don’t feel like they’re getting left behind,” he says.
“The Twin Cities might have the big, high-tech companies, but a lot of the suppliers are in rural Minnesota,” Busta adds. “There’s a lot of advanced manufacturing happening in small towns, and people should be proud of that.”
Now based in Baxter, he enjoys the region’s outdoor lifestyle — golfing, fishing, and spending time with his family — and values the opportunity to serve communities that mirror his own background.
“I grew up in a small town,” he says. “I understand how important these businesses are to their communities.”
Return to the Summer 2026 issue of Enterprise Minnesota® magazine.
