Part of recognizing the importance of manufacturing in Minnesota is recognizing and nurturing the next generation of manufacturing leadership. In that spirit, MN DEED and CareerForce, industry leaders, and members of the Northwest Minnesota Manufacturers Association gathered together in Roseau on October 15 to present scholarships to five burgeoning manufacturing leaders. The students honored were: Owen Lund, Isaac Baumgartner, Sawyer Stromlund, LaKylie Brobst and Cody Kvarnlov. They each received a $500 scholarship from the Northwest Minnesota Manufacturers Association to use toward their college expenses.

During the scholarship ceremony, the five students presented essays on the importance of manufacturing as an engine of both the regional and state economy. Representative John Burkel (Minnesota House District 1A) opened the ceremony with a reflection on the importance of developing rising talent in manufacturing. Kellie Roth of Polaris, Mike Roberts of Marvin and Chet Bodin, Business Development Manager for DEED presented on how local manufacturers are meeting the moment with creative uses of technology in manufacturing, and Kim Hruba of the Advanced Resource Center for Innovation and Education in Warroad gave a keynote speech on how manufacturing jobs can transform entire family trajectories with new opportunities. 

CareerForce’s own Jessica Bordun and Radovan Panovic, in concert with the Roseau Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, worked hard to stage an event that drew over fifty representatives from different manufacturing companies to this unique event that uplifts and celebrates the present – and future – of manufacturing in Minnesota.