Helping Minnesota manufacturers grow profitably for over 30 years. "Helping Manufacturing Enterprises Grow Profitably"
06/10/2025
ST. CLOUD — A program supporting small and mid-sized Minnesota manufacturers may soon lose millions in federal funding, a cut that could have ripple effects on the state’s rural manufacturing industry.
The loss of federal support could drastically limit the organization’s ability to serve rural manufacturers, particularly in greater Minnesota, where small businesses rely on Enterprise Minnesota’s programs, according to Bob Kill, president of Enterprise Minnesota.
Great coverage by St. Cloud Live. Thanks to Landwehr Construction, Inc., Falls Fabricating, Two Rivers Enterprises, and Lonesome Cottage Furniture Co for contributing to this article.
The U.S. Department of Commerce previously notified Enterprise Minnesota that funding will not be renewed in 2026.
06/09/2025
Enterprise Minnesota will gain valuable insight from its newest board member, Curt Tillotson, a dynamic leader with strong relationships across the manufacturing community.
Curt has worked with manufacturers and retailers of all sizes. He’s served in finance, sales and operations. In each of those positions, he has gathered knowledge and connections that he brings to Enterprise Minnesota as the newest member of our board of directors.
05/29/2025
What comes to mind when you hear the word “automation?”
Have you ever implemented and struggled to achieve the expected benefits?
Join continuous improvement and automation expert Eric Blaha June 5th in Baxter to learn how to prepare your organization for automation success. Hint: It starts with your people.
DULUTH — Industry leaders and business owners are bracing for federal funding cuts to the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program.
While small to midsize manufacturers are set to lose access to affordable resources, Enterprise Minnesota President and CEO Bob Kill predicts large-scale manufacturers across the state and country will also feel the blow with the resulting impact to their supply chains.
On April 1, Enterprise Minnesota was notified that the MEP program wouldn’t be renewed at the federal level. The organization was up for renewal in January 2026.
The state's Manufacturing Extension Partnership program receives nearly half its revenue from federal funding that isn't being renewed.
05/19/2025
Our 17th annual State of Manufacturing season gets rolling on June 2, when Platinum sponsors will gather for our annual kickoff luncheon.
At our next manufacturing workshop, continuous improvement expert Eric Blaha will show companies how to use automation to fill gaps in the labor force and boost productivity.
At the June 5 workshop, Blaha will explain why companies that successfully automate make employee buy-in the very first step of the process. “When we engage our employees to improve processes and identify opportunities to automate, it can act as a force multiplier for our labor, allowing employees to add more value per labor hour.”
Read more:
The Weekly Report - continuous improvement expert Eric Blaha will show companies how to use automation to fill gaps in the labor force and boost productivity.
05/06/2025
Finally, a way to solve production issues that doesn't involve "more training." , join expert Sandy Borstad May 22 at St. Cloud Technical & Community College to learn how to identify the real issue(s) and create strategies for solutions that last.
Thanks to Rice Companies, Inc. and SwedeBro for their support of this workshop. Register on our website:
May 22, 2025 - Join talent and leadership development expert Sandy Borstad for this manufacturing workshop in St. Cloud.
04/30/2025
The U.S. Department of Commerce sent a letter April 1 to Manufacturing Extension Partnership program heads in 10 states, including those in Iowa, North Dakota and Kansas, saying their grants would not be renewed.
Commerce also sent the letter to Congress, explaining that the department was stopping funding and instead “reprioritizing its programmatic activities to ensure that the U.S. secures its position as a leader in critical and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum.”
Enterprise Minnesota’s funds annually help 510 small and rural manufacturers, plus critical suppliers, expand, slash waste and get the industrial certifications required to enter new markets such as aerospace and cyber security.
The money helped the factories grow, according to Enterprise Minnesota. According to Commerce’s own records, Enterprise clients across the state added $696 million in revenue and 6,600 workers over the past five years.
“Small companies are going to be the ones most victimized” by any federal funding cuts, said Bob Kill, President and CEO of Enterprise Minnesota.
Outstanding reporting from Dee DePass and the Star Tribune on the current outlook of the MEP program in Minnesota.
The U.S. Commerce Department plans to use the funding, which goes to Enterprise Minnesota in this state, to boost emerging technologies such as AI and quantum.
04/21/2025
Federal funding for Enterprise Minnesota is at risk; please reach out to your elected officials to express concern.
Federal funding for Enterprise Minnesota is at risk; please reach out to your elected officials to express concern.
The first key competency is being able to articulate “the why” of your organization. Mission, vision, and value statements need to be more than “words on the wall,” Neale says. They need to be explained and modeled by company leaders.
04/04/2025
Enterprise Minnesota’s Bob Kill gives his top 10 lessons on how Minnesota’s manufacturers can make the most of today’s business climate.
#1: Manufacturers must tell and sell their stories - how they started, who they employ, and where they're going.
#2: Build relationships with community and technical colleges, an unbelievable asset for manufacturers.
#3: Treat employees as your most valued customers – growing successfully depends on engaging them at all levels.
#4...
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Enterprise Minnesota is an ISO 9001:2015 certified consulting organization that works with small and medium-sized manufacturing companies to help them compete and grow profitably. For over 30 years, we’ve been helping manufacturers throughout Minnesota achieve sustainable profits and growth through our service areas of strategy, talent/leadership, continuous improvement, management systems, and manufacturing peer councils. Our expert advisors cover all corners of the state. No matter where you’re located, Enterprise Minnesota has a local manufacturing expert ready to work with you. Find your Advisor.
Enterprise Minnesota also serves as the “voice” of Minnesota’s manufacturing industry and is at the center of an important and diverse coalition of interests that all support manufacturing. We work with colleges and universities, business industry “thought leaders,” economic development entities, policymakers, and granting organizations to help raise the profile of manufacturing as a key driver of Minnesota’s economy.
Our signature initiative each year is the State of Manufacturing® Survey, the most comprehensive survey of Minnesota’s manufacturing economy. It reveals the perceptions and opinions of manufacturing executives and key stakeholders on issues impacting business. Now in its 12th year, the State of Manufacturing® survey provides depth and context to the economic outlook for Minnesota’s manufacturing industry.
Enterprise Minnesota is part of the federal Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP). A network of organizations nationwide chartered to help small- to medium-size manufacturers compete and grow. This network enables us to leverage services and resources that contribute to our clients’ success.
To learn more about how we help Minnesota manufacturers, visit www.enterpriseminnesota.org and click on our Consulting Services page. We also invite you to subscribe to Enterprise Minnesota magazine (it’s free!) and The Weekly Report newsletter to stay up to date on the latest information and trends in Minnesota manufacturing.
