Governor Tim Walz was in Northeast Minneapolis on Wednesday, Oct. 27 to announce the new initiative, “Build What Matters.” The kickoff was held at Twin Ignition Startup Garage at 1317 Marshall St. NE and was hosted by business mentors Ben Rasmussen and Seth Peter.
This new program aims to emphasize to startups and existing companies the benefits of doing business here and encourage new economic development throughout the state. The program is also committed to inclusive growth to make a more equitable economy. The governor stated that Minnesota is “truly one of the best places to start a business. We are number one in a five-year business survival rate, number one in having the most Fortune 500 companies per capita and number two as the best overall state in America.”
Commissioner Steve Grove from the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), along with other local business leaders, joined Gov. Walz to launch the program. Grove announced a new website, https://joinusmn.com/, which has information on federal and state incentives, how to start or expand a new business and information about the quality of life and of the workforce in Minnesota.
Twin Ignition Startup Garage was an appropriate place to launch this new program as their mission is to advise, invest and support new tech startup community. Rasmussen stated “Twin Ignition has an audacious goal to create 100,000 jobs in our community over the next twenty years.”
Governor Walz concluded, “Minnesotans are stronger because of a strong diversified economy and we want to make the message very clear… all are welcome here.
Below: DEED Commissioner Steve Grove, left, and Gov. Tim Walz met with business leaders to introduce their new program, JoinUsMN. (Photos by Patti Hoffmann)