Gov. Tim Walz met Thursday with representatives of a few dozen Japan-based firms contemplating opening workplaces or services in Minnesota.
Japan is the third-largest international investor within the state with greater than 40 Japanese-owned firms already working companies at practically 100 areas in Minnesota, state officers mentioned Thursday.
The visiting firms had been a part of delegation organized by the Japan Exterior Commerce Group (JETRO) that works to advertise Japanese funding globally.
Whereas names of particular visiting firms weren’t disclosed, Minnesota’s medical enterprise financial system is clearly a part of the draw as representatives of the Medical Alley commerce group attended the assembly.
“It is no mistake that when these firms wished to come back to the U.S., they got here to 2 locations: Washington, D.C., to make some federal connections, after which Minnesota, which is the house to Medical Alley,” mentioned Steve Grove, commissioner of the Minnesota Division of Employment and Financial Improvement (DEED).
“That is a part of enterprise growth,” Grove mentioned. “It is a aggressive time in our financial system. We’re preventing tooth and nail with different states for enlargement, for progress.”
Grove mentioned the delegation would even be visiting the College of Minnesota within the Twin Cities and the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.
Thursday’s assembly was held on the Brooklyn Park facility of Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., which is predicated in Japan.
Takeda acquired the Brooklyn Park facility in 2015 to function its first U.S. manufacturing plant. Takeda has 800 workers in Minnesota, together with its biologic plasma donation facilities throughout the state; roughly 360 staffers work on the Brooklyn Park plant. Takeda’s merchandise embody plasma-derived therapies.
“Medical gadgets and biotechnology is one among our key issues,” Walz mentioned of the state’s financial system.
Walz famous that one other Japanese firm, Tokyo-based Toppan Printing Co., lately expanded in Minnesota. The specialty printer accomplished a $6 million enlargement to its facility in Sartell final yr.
