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 The current process is outdated and inefficient, in turn hindering economic growth statewide, especially in Greater Minnesota.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
952-240-7869
Aengelmeyer@webershandwick.com
- Andy Campeau of Minnesota Pipe Trades Association elected board chair; Jennifer Cady of Minnesota Power elected board vice chair
- New leadership underscores commitment and opportunity to advance critical industrial projects and bring family-sustaining jobs to Minnesota
St. Paul, Minn. (January 30, 2025) – Today, the Jobs for Minnesotans coalition is proud to announce the appointment of former Minnesota Rep. Dave Lislegard as executive director. The Jobs for Minnesotans board also elected Board Member Andy Campeau of the Minnesota Pipe Trades Association as the new board chair and new Board Member Jennifer Cady of Minnesota Power as the board vice chair.
Since its founding in 2012, Jobs for Minnesotans has united Minnesota businesses, labor organizations and communities to advance job creation and investment in our state. These appointments bring together valued leaders around these issues, and comes at a critical moment for this year’s Minnesota legislative session and beyond.
“We are excited to welcome Dave Lislegard back to the Jobs for Minnesotans coalition. Dave is a proven advocate for a fair and transparent regulatory process for all industries, and a long-standing advocate for bringing prosperous jobs to Minnesota,” said Doug Loon, Jobs for Minnesotans board member and Minnesota Chamber President and CEO. “Dave was an important founding member of the Jobs for Minnesotans board for many years before serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives for the last six years.”
“Dave is a passionate and effective leader and a champion for good jobs. Dave will bring diverse stakeholders together and work with both Democrats and Republicans to help move forward job-creating projects that are good for Minnesota workers and communities,” said Jobs for Minnesotans Board Member Kris Fredson of Laborers’ International Union of North America Minnesota and North Dakota.
Dave worked with colleagues on both sides of the aisle at the Minnesota Legislature last year to pass the first meaningful permitting reform legislation in 14 years. The bi-partisan legislation streamlined the process so multiple agencies responsible for environmental reviews can coordinate their activities, along with a set of deadlines. This was a step in the right direction to bring more responsible investment into the state.
“I’m honored to lead this important coalition forward, there’s still a lot of work to be done to secure a thriving future for our state,” said Dave Lislegard, executive director of Jobs for Minnesotans. “Minnesota has so much to offer from its diverse natural resource-based economy. Responsible industries across all sectors have the potential to bring even greater economic impact in the years ahead to strengthen Minnesota’s economy, all while protecting the environment. I’m excited to continue the work and impact outcomes for Minnesotans.”
“We’re also pleased to have Andy Campeau elected as board chair and Jennifer Cady as board vice chair,” said Loon. “This new bench of strategic leaders gives us incredible momentum to continue strong advocacy around our founding belief: it’s possible for responsible industries to both protect the surrounding environment while advancing job-creating projects here in Minnesota.”
Andy Campeau brings decades-long labor advocacy to his board chair role as president of the Minnesota Pipe Trades Association. Jennifer brings deep state regulatory experience from her long tenure at Minnesota Power.
“Jobs for Minnesotans has a role in the conversation for the future of Minnesota and I’m eager to lend my voice,” said Board Chair Andy Campeau of Minnesota Pipe Trades Association. “Many projects across industries are experiencing shifting timelines and the delay of reviews, creating an unpredictable regulatory environment. As a result, investment that should be coming into our state has been diverted to other parts of the country and we need these jobs right here in Minnesota.”
“I’m excited to join Jobs for Minnesotans in a leadership role and continue the coalition’s work of advocation for a fair regulatory process that allows for the economic growth that supports our communities while also protecting the environment,” said Board Vice Chair Jennifer Cady of Minnesota Power. “In my experience, without predictability, timeliness and transparency, the regulatory process loses credibility and fairness for projects being reviewed in our state.”
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 6,300 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
jobsforminnesotans@gmail.com
952-240-7869
St. Paul, Minnesota (Jan. 21, 2025) – Jobs for Minnesotans released the following statement in response to action taken yesterday by President Trump to declare a national energy emergency and unlock domestic mineral production:
“The action taken yesterday by incoming President Trump underscores the urgency to domestically source critical minerals essential to battery and renewable energy production – including copper, nickel, cobalt and platinum group minerals. These are all minerals that can be safely sourced right here in Minnesota.
“We urge the new administration to continue to take swift action and provide an expeditious path forward for nonferrous mining projects in our state. Minnesota holds our nation’s solution to sourcing these minerals in a safe and responsible way while protecting the surrounding environment.
“In order to advance responsible mining projects, there needs to be a predictable, timely and transparent permitting process that also protects the environment under the EPA and Minnesota’s strict regulations. Broad permitting reform for all responsible industries is needed to strengthen Minnesota’s communities and power our nation’s future.”
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
952-240-7869
Aengelmeyer@webershandwick.com