St. Paul, Minnesota (June 10, 2025) – The Minnesota State Senate and House of Representatives passed a bill to streamline and improve Minnesota’s permitting process yesterday. The bill was introduced by a bipartisan group of legislative leaders and coalition members from labor, agriculture, and business, including Senator Grant Hauschild, DFL-Hermantown, the chief author of the bill in the Senate, and Representative Josh Heintzeman, R-Brainerd Lakes, the chief author of the bill in the House.
“Permitting reform isn’t about politics–it’s about ensuring Minnesota is a state that works. Whether it’s a small business trying to expand, a contractor breaking ground, or a community waiting on clean water infrastructure, they all deserve a process that’s fair, transparent, and efficient,” said Senator Hauschild. “I’m proud to have worked across the aisle to get this done–because when we work on common sense policy and focus on real solutions, we deliver for the people of Minnesota.”
“This bipartisan permitting reform package is a win for all Minnesotans. It will give employers the certainty they need to grow, while maintaining strong environmental standards that Minnesotans expect,” said Representative Heintzeman.
A study commissioned by the Minnesota Chamber Foundation last year found that, from 2018 to 2023, Minnesota-based companies invested in 355 projects outside of the state. This resulted in an estimated $17.5 billion in capital expenditures and 31,000 lost jobs. This is a net deficit compared to other states.
“Jobs for Minnesotans is a unique and valuable partnership between business and labor. Our organizations and members share a commitment to a strong and growing economy. Permitting reform will provide greater opportunity for business expansion and investment in Minnesota while upholding high environmental standards to protect the environment and public health,” said Doug Loon, President and CEO of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. “Business, labor, and community groups across Minnesota understand that a strong environment and a growing economy are critical to our state’s economic future.”
Key tenets of the bill include provisions to eliminate outdated or unnecessary regulations that slow approval processes, enhance transparency through increased accessibility of information for stakeholders and the public, and ensure reforms balance increasing efficiency in permitting processes while maintaining rigorous environmental standards and protections.
“Jobs for Minnesotans is committed to advancing responsible industrial projects through a predictable, timely, and transparent permitting process while also protecting the environment. This bill puts Minnesotans and our people back to work,” said Andy Campeau, Chair of Jobs for Minnesotans and President of the Minnesota Pipe Trades Association. “Thank you to each member of this bipartisan coalition for your stewardship in making Minnesota a better place to do business.”
“Common sense permitting reform allows for a system that supports both strong economic growth and protects our health and natural resources. With the passage of this bill, we can begin to bring back good jobs and foster the economic stability our communities need,” said Dave Lislegard, Executive Director of Jobs for Minnesotans.
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About Jobs for Minnesotans
Jobs for Minnesotans, a coalition representing business, labor and communities, supports statewide opportunities for prosperity and middle-class jobs from sustainable natural resource development in Minnesota. The organization is committed to the principle that our state can preserve both job opportunities and the environment for future generations. Jobs for Minnesotans was co-founded in 2012 by the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council representing 70,000 workers and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce representing 2,300 members and 500,000 employees. For more information, visit jobsforminnesotans.org, follow @JobsforMN on Twitter and find the coalition on Facebook.com/Jobs4MN.
Press Contact
Samantha Hanson, samantha@giantvoices.com, (218) 576-7236
St. Paul, Minnesota (May 2, 2025) – Jobs for Minnesotans supports Congressional efforts to restore federal mineral rights in the Superior National Forest, because it gives Minnesota the chance to lead with facts and science—taking politics out of the process and putting opportunity back on the table. This legislation doesn’t guarantee mining projects start today, but it ensures that businesses that can prove they will meet and exceed environmental standards have a fair shot in the future. It’s a positive step toward strengthening infrastructure, creating jobs, and responsibly using the minerals our state holds. This Congressional priority ensures investment in the long-term economic resiliency of Minnesota while protecting what makes it special.
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About Jobs for Minnesotans
Jobs for Minnesotans, a coalition representing business, labor and communities, supports statewide opportunities for prosperity and middle-class jobs from sustainable natural resource development in Minnesota. The organization is committed to the principle that our state can preserve both job opportunities and the environment for future generations. Jobs for Minnesotans was co-founded in 2012 by the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council representing 70,000 workers and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce representing 2,300 members and 500,000 employees. For more information, visit jobsforminnesotans.org, follow @JobsforMN on Twitter and find the coalition on Facebook.com/Jobs4MN.
St. Paul, Minnesota (April 24, 2025) – Jobs for Minnesotans supports legislative action to reform Minnesota’s permitting process. It is not a question of this or that; a more efficient process conducive to economic development does coincides with the protection of our public health and valuable natural resources. The current process is outdated and inefficient, in turn hindering economic growth statewide, especially in Greater Minnesota. Project delays produced by beaucratic lack of productivity deprives our communities of the jobs, training, and economic stability they so badly need.
Thank you to Jobs for Minnesotans Board Members Doug Loon and Tom Dicklich for underscoring the urgent need for reform in Minnesota’s environmental permitting proceess in this week’s Duluth News Tribune. Thank you to Senator Grant Hauschild for advocating for bipartisan, sensible and safe business practices. See the full op-ed below.
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About Jobs for Minnesotans
Jobs for Minnesotans, a coalition representing business, labor and communities, supports statewide opportunities for prosperity and middle-class jobs from sustainable natural resource development in Minnesota. The organization is committed to the principle that our state can preserve both job opportunities and the environment for future generations. Jobs for Minnesotans was co-founded in 2012 by the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council representing 70,000 workers and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce representing 2,300 members and 500,000 employees. For more information, visit jobsforminnesotans.org, follow @JobsforMN on Twitter and find the coalition on Facebook.com/Jobs4MN.
St. Paul, Minnesota (March 28, 2025) – The executive order underscores the importance of securing domestic mineral production to strengthen national security, economic prosperity, and technological advancements. Ensuring a stable supply of critical minerals is important to all businesses and states, as it supports infrastructure and industry.
A collaborative approach for Minnesota—leveraging innovation, responsible mining practices, and diverse energy strategies—maintains sustainable development while balancing environmental protections and community interests.
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About Jobs for Minnesotans
Jobs for Minnesotans, a coalition representing business, labor and communities, supports statewide opportunities for prosperity and middle-class jobs from sustainable natural resource development in Minnesota. The organization is committed to the principle that our state can preserve both job opportunities and the environment for future generations. Jobs for Minnesotans was co-founded in 2012 by the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council representing 70,000 workers and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce representing 2,300 members and 500,000 employees. For more information, visit jobsforminnesotans.org, follow @JobsforMN on Twitter and find the coalition on Facebook.com/Jobs4MN.
St. Paul, Minnesota (Feb. 5, 2025) – Jobs for Minnesotans released the following statement in response to the Superior National Forest Restoration Act being introduced into the U.S. House of Representatives today:
“Jobs for Minnesotans supports the Superior National Forest Restoration Act, as it allows for proposed mining projects to proceed through the rigorous environmental review process. This legislation doesn’t allow any project to be greenlit, it simply allows projects to be reviewed through the environmental review process already outlined in law.
“As a coalition, we have consistently advocated for a fair regulatory process – fair to the public, government and tribal entities, and key stakeholders – while protecting the environment under stringent federal and state regulations. This legislation restores a fairer review process for projects that could bring thousands of family sustaining jobs to Minnesotans.”
About Jobs for Minnesotans
Jobs for Minnesotans, a coalition representing business, labor and communities, supports statewide opportunities for prosperity and middle-class jobs from sustainable natural resource development in Minnesota. The organization is committed to the principle that our state can preserve both job opportunities and the environment for future generations. Jobs for Minnesotans was co-founded in 2012 by the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council representing 70,000 workers and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce representing 2,300 members and 500,000 employees. For more information, visit jobsforminnesotans.org, follow @JobsforMN on Twitter and find the coalition on Facebook.com/Jobs4MN.
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Media Contact:
Alecia Engelmeyer
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