[ST. PAUL, MN] – Today, Governor Tim Walz met with two employers that are making significant investments on the Iron Range to highlight ways the state is working to expand economic opportunity across Minnesota. Governor Walz first toured Heliene USA, a rapidly expanding solar equipment manufacturer in Mountain Iron. He then visited Keewatin to celebrate US Steel’s $150 million investment in the Keetac mine. Photos from the events are attached and available here .

“It was great to be on the Range today to visit two successful companies that are positioning Minnesota as a leader in both the mining and solar industries,” said Governor Walz. “I am committed to working collaboratively with businesses and local leaders across Minnesota to keep our state’s economy competitive, innovative, and thriving.”

About Heliene USA

Heliene USA manufactures photovoltaic solar modules and is the state’s only solar panel factory. Heliene USA is currently completing a $21 million expansion at the solar facility in Mountain Iron, making it the nation's second-largest solar panel producer. The expansion includes construction of a 68,000-square-foot warehouse. Mountain Iron Economic Development Authority is constructing and will own the building. The project also includes the acquisition of an additional production line. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation provided a $2.75 million loan to the Mountain Iron Economic Development Authority (EDA). Other funding partners include Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development, St. Louis County and State of Minnesota Renewable Energy Account.

About US Steel’s Keetac Mine

US Steel’s Mining Solutions produces high-quality taconite pellets for use in blast furnace operations. Located in the ore-rich Mesabi Iron Range in northern Minnesota, US Steel’s Minntac and Keetac mines produce up to 22 million tons of pellets annually. Keetac employs about 400 employees.

US Steel announced in June that they will invest $150 million to upgrade the Keetac mine to produce DR-grade pellets used to feed smaller steel mills known as electric arc furnaces, which now dominate the nation’s steel industry. This investment is one of the largest developments in Minnesota’s iron ore industry in the past four decades.

The University of Minnesota Duluth recently completed a study on the Economic Impacts of Ferrous and Nonferrous Mining and found that in 2019, Minnesota’s mining industry contributed more than 11,600 jobs, $1 billion in labor income, $2.1 billion in value-added spending, and more than $4 billion into the state’s economy. Study results indicate that the mining industry has grown steadily over the past decade and is positioned for significant growth between 2020 and 2024.