Governor Walz visited Destination Medical Center’s (DMC) Discovery Square Innovation District in Rochester, Minnesota, to uplift eight years of investments that have placed Minnesota on the cutting edge of scientific discovery and healthcare innovation. The Governor was joined by DMC Executive Director Patrick Seeb, Mayo Clinic President and CEO Gianrico Farrugia, M.D., Rochester Mayor Kim Norton, and Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Matt Varilek. Photos from the event can be found here.
“Minnesota has long been an internationally recognized hub for academic medicine, research, and cutting-edge technology. When Americans think world-class healthcare, they think Rochester, Minnesota,” said Governor Walz. “I am proud of our partnership with Destination Medical Center as they work to leverage Mayo’s success to usher in the next generation of healthcare innovation. This investment is a win across the board for healthcare, scientific innovation, and economic development.”
As the leader in high-quality healthcare, Minnesota has become a top destination for business growth and expansion. The Walz-Flanagan administration has maintained a focus on international trade, showcasing Minnesota as a top destination for business investment, developing new partnership opportunities, and strengthening existing trade and diplomatic ties. Numerous trade missions, including the state’s first trade mission to Australia in 2023 deepened trade connections in the medical technology sector, promoting investments that keep Rochester on the forefront of healthcare innovation. Under the leadership of the Walz-Flanagan Administration, Minnesota improved health outcomes, increased healthcare affordability, and consistently ranks among the top states for healthcare.
On Tuesday, Governor Walz broke ground on a new Minnesota State Patrol headquarters in Roseville. The project follows Governor Walz’s longtime advocacy for a dedicated State Patrol headquarters, which he first proposed in 2023 and signed into law in 2025. The first headquarters built specifically for the State Patrol, the facility will consolidate operations in a secure, modern location designed to strengthen emergency response, coordination, training, recruitment, retention, and service to Minnesotans for generations to come. Photos from the event are available here.
“Public safety infrastructure is more than concrete and steel; it is the foundation for the people and partnerships that keep Minnesotans safe,” said Governor Walz. “Our historic investments in public safety and infrastructure are making Minnesota’s communities safer and giving public safety professionals the tools they need to serve. This new headquarters is another major win for public safety, honoring the State Patrol’s extraordinary dedication and providing troopers with the modern facility, technology, and centralized resources they need to build a safer state for generations to come.
The headquarters is part of the Walz-Flanagan Administration’s broader investment in public safety infrastructure and law enforcement across Minnesota. The administration has provided $3.8 billion in public safety resources to all 87 counties and 11 Tribal Nations, opened a new State Emergency Operations Center in 2025, and broke ground on additional facilities, including a Bureau of Criminal Apprehension regional office in Mankato. Minnesota has also passed five bonding bills under Governor Walz, including the two largest bonding bills in state history, investing $8.9 billion in statewide capital improvement projects.
Governor Walz celebrated the reopening of the John Ireland Blvd. Bridge, an iconic landmark and gateway to downtown Saint Paul and the Minnesota State Capitol. The Governor led a celebratory run across the bridge with Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger and representatives from Twin Cities in Motion, the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board, and the reconstruction team. Photos from the event are available here.
“This bridge is an important part of the Saint Paul community and a vital connection to Minnesota’s Front Lawn,” said Governor Walz. “As someone who runs and commutes across it, I know what it means to the thousands of people who travel this route every day—by car, transit, bicycle, or on foot. MnDOT delivered this project on time, on budget, and on a demanding timeline, strengthening a connection that will serve Saint Paul and Minnesotans for generations to come.”
Under the Walz-Flanagan Administration, Minnesota completed more than 90% of its construction projects on time, strengthening and modernizing the nation’s fourth-largest roadway system. Since 2019, MnDOT built, rebuilt, or improved 3,900 miles of trunk highway, constructed 350 new bridges, repaired more than 5,800 existing bridges, maintained 9,000 roadway miles, and patched 86,500 tons of potholes – the equivalent of 17,300 elephants. These investments reflect a historic and lasting commitment to safer, more reliable transportation infrastructure that will serve Minnesotans for generations.
Governor Walz will travel to Denmark, Sweden, and Iceland from Sunday, September 27, through Saturday, October 3, 2026, to strengthen international partnerships, promote Minnesota as a destination for business investment, and expand opportunities for Minnesota companies and workers.
“Minnesota is a global leader in innovation, research, agriculture, and business because of the partnerships we have built and the strategic investments we have made – and we are making sure the world knows it,” said Governor Walz. “This trip is an opportunity to showcase Minnesota’s strengths, open doors for Minnesota businesses, and attract investment that supports good-paying jobs. By strengthening our global connections, we are positioning Minnesota for continued growth and ensuring bold ideas, innovative companies, and talented people can thrive here.”
The trip builds on Governor Walz’s longstanding commitment to international business development and economic growth. Under the Walz-Flanagan Administration, Minnesota has pursued a sustained strategy to expand exports, attract foreign investment, and develop partnerships with business and government leaders around the world. These relationships and investments have helped deliver measurable results, contributing to Minnesota’s recognition as a national leader, including seven Top 10 business rankings since 2019, a No. 1 ranking for healthcare, a Top 10 ranking for business survival, and top five rankings for overall quality of life, jobs, economic opportunity, educational attainment, infrastructure, and innovation. Since 2019, the Governor and his administration have led 12 international trade missions to more than 18 countries and visited more than 45 international companies with investments in Minnesota.
|
