Minnesota Local Business Directory

Known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Minnesota derives its name from a Dakota word that means sky-tinted water. Glacier activity that occurred more than 12,000 years ago is thought to be responsible for the numerous lakes and rivers that cover much of Minnesota's landscape. The state boasts four million acres of protected state forests, 72 state parks and thousands of lakes, making it an inviting tourist resort for hunters and fishing enthusiasts from around the country. Ice fishing is popular in the winter months and is a tradition for residents of Scandinavian heritage.

German and Scandinavian influences are present everywhere in modern Minnesota; these first European settlers typically practiced subsistence farming or made their living in logging camps harvesting the extensive supply of high-quality lumber in the region. Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox are two legendary folk heroes of the lumbering trade and are immortalized in large statues in Bemidji, Minnesota. The numerous waterfalls in Minnesota were used to power mills, leading to Minnesota's dominance in the flour production industry during the early 20th century.

Today, Minnesota's economy is characterized by a mix of agricultural enterprises and manufacturing concerns. Major employers in the state include the UnitedHealth Group, Best Buy, Land O' Lakes and Target. The largest private employer, however, is Carlson Companies.