St. Paul, Minn. (March 22, 2021) – Jobs for Minnesotans released the below statement following the news that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) issued a temporary pause of the PolyMet NorthMet Project’s 404 wetlands permit pending the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 90-day review announced earlier this month:

“This USACE news was expected following the EPA’s decision earlier this month. Jobs for Minnesotans is confident the PolyMet NorthMet Project’s scientific record will be upheld and the EPA will come to the same conclusion as before. While we await the 90-day review, the project continues to advance and we look forward to the construction phase of the project.

“PolyMet Mining has already invested $400 million in the NorthMet Project, which is expected to provide 360 family-sustaining jobs to northeast Minnesota. The region is currently experiencing severe economic disparities and unemployment rates compared to the Twin Cities metro area. The project will also be the first to mine nonferrous metals from Minnesota’s Duluth Complex that are needed to meet growing demand of renewable energy technologies, electric vehicles and other climate change solutions.”

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: Nancy Norr, Board Chair
nnorr@mnpower.com
218.590.6978