Great River Energy electric cooperatives power Minnesota’s life science growth

25 Nov 2025

GRE

Minnesota is experiencing a decisive expansion in its life sciences and medical technology sectors. With an intense concentration of medical device, biotech and health-technology companies, the state offers a compelling destination for firms seeking sites for research, development and manufacturing.

According to the state’s business development agency, Minnesota’s life sciences industry comprises more than 7,400 companies, contributing approximately $48.5 billion to the state's GDP, which accounts for 10.3 percent of the state’s economy, and employing around 326,000 people.

For electric cooperatives serving rural and suburban regions, this growth signals new demands and opportunities. The cooperative model offers distinct advantages for life science companies evaluating site-selection criteria.

Reliable energy infrastructure supports medtech expansion

Minnesota continues to strengthen its position as a national leader in the life sciences and medical technology sectors. The state’s ecosystem combines advanced research, precision manufacturing and reliable energy infrastructure, creating a strong foundation for companies that design, test and produce technologies used worldwide.

Access to stable power, skilled labor and connected logistics systems enables life science operators to scale confidently. These conditions are supported by Great River Energy and its 26 member cooperatives, which deliver reliable energy to industrial parks, research campuses and production facilities across much of Minnesota.

Minnesota’s life sciences industry drives statewide investment

The state’s life sciences and medtech ecosystem ranks among the most advanced in the nation. Major employers such as Medtronic, Boston Scientific, Abbott and 3M anchor a network that includes hundreds of suppliers, contract manufacturers and startups.

The Medical Alley region remains a hub of innovation, connecting private companies with universities and clinical institutions. This collaboration fuels a continuous cycle of product development and commercialization.

Competitive advantages for life science firms

For biotech and medtech companies considering expansion, Minnesota offers:

A mature supply chain for biotech and medical device manufacturing
Strong research-to-commercialization pipelines through universities and clinical institutions
Workforce depth in engineering, biomedical science, and precision manufacturing
A business-friendly environment supported by Great River Energy’s site-readiness data and cooperative partnerships

Key indicators of industry performance:

700+ life science companies operating statewide
Over 55,000 employees in medical device and bioscience occupations
$2.6 billion in annual exports of medical and surgical instruments
Steady venture capital growth in biotech and medtech startups

Investment extends beyond the Twin Cities, reaching regional centers in central, northern, and southern Minnesota, which are areas served by Great River Energy’s cooperatives. This expansion underscores the role of energy reliability and infrastructure readiness in attracting high-tech investment.

Life science investment expands in 2025

Minnesota’s leadership in life sciences and medical technology continues to accelerate through a series of major expansions in 2025.

Philips expands global medTech presence in Plymouth

Philips announced a significant investment in Plymouth, adding new manufacturing and R&D facilities along with a Global Customer MedTech Training Center. The expansion, supported by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development’s Job Creation and Investment Funds, will bring new jobs and global visibility to the region. The facility will focus on innovation in image-guided therapy and provide advanced training for healthcare professionals worldwide.

Bora Pharmaceuticals grows U.S. operations in Maple Grove

Bora Pharmaceuticals also announced plans to expand its Maple Grove operations following its acquisition of Upsher-Smith Laboratories in 2024. The project adds more than 100,000 square feet to the facility, supporting high-volume pharmaceutical manufacturing and the development of next-generation oral solid dosage (OSD) formulations.

As demand grows for complex drug formulations and biologics transitioning into OSD formats, Bora’s investment will enhance capacity for formulation development, tech transfer and commercial production. Company leaders emphasized that Minnesota’s skilled workforce and established biomanufacturing infrastructure make it a strategic location for continued growth in the U.S. market.

Boston Scientific opens new Arbor Lakes campus

In October 2025, Boston Scientific opened its new 400,000-square-foot Arbor Lakes campus in Maple Grove, expanding its presence in Minnesota and reinforcing the state’s role as a leader in medtech. The new facility includes research and development labs, an innovation center and collaborative workspaces to support ongoing growth in the company’s cardiovascular and electrophysiology divisions. The campus will enable greater focus on R&D and product testing while transitioning more manufacturing operations to its Weaver Lake site.

Energy reliability defines competitive advantage

The success of Minnesota’s biomanufacturing and medtech industries depends on uninterrupted, high-quality power. Cleanrooms, climate-controlled facilities and continuous production environments require stable energy delivery.

Great River Energy supplies wholesale power to approximately 700,000 customers across two-thirds of Minnesota and maintains a system reliability rate of 99.9%. Its economic development team works directly with businesses to ensure energy capacity aligns with operational needs.

Performance metrics include:

99.9% system reliability
Stable industrial rates that support long-term cost planning
Transition to 95% carbon-free energy by 2025
A robust transmission network connecting industrial and research sites statewide

Site readiness and workforce alignment builds competitiveness

Site selectors prioritize locations that minimize time to production. Minnesota’s certified shovel-ready sites, many of which are served by Great River Energy’s member cooperatives, meet that need through coordinated planning and robust infrastructure.

Key site selection advantages

Central location in the Upper Midwest with access to I-35 and I-94
Air and rail connectivity supporting domestic and global distribution
Fiber and data networks capable of handling biotech research and production needs
Streamlined permitting through state and local collaboration

Skilled workforce for life science manufacturing

Minnesota ranks among the top states for educational attainment, with 51 percent of adults holding postsecondary credentials. Workforce strengths include:

Technical training aligned with bioscience and medtech manufacturing
Research and engineering talent supporting R&D and commercialization
Apprenticeships that develop skilled technicians
High retention rates are supported by quality of life and community stability

This workforce alignment reduces operational risk and accelerates time to productivity for new and expanding companies.

Cooperative partnerships accelerate industry growth

Minnesota’s electric cooperatives serve as more than utilities. They are long-term partners in community and industrial development. Great River Energy collaborates with local governments and economic development organizations to assist companies through every stage of the site selection process.

Their approach focuses on measurable outcomes:

Aligning site infrastructure with project timelines
Ensuring sites meet energy and transmission requirements
Helping companies access state and local incentives
Supporting industrial parks with infrastructure grants and load management programs

This cooperative model promotes faster project execution and long-term operational stability, which are two critical priorities for life science manufacturers and biotech investors.

Outlook for life science investment in Minnesota

The next phase of Minnesota’s life science growth will be defined by coordination between research, manufacturing and infrastructure. Emerging opportunities include:

AI and automation in manufacturing and quality control
Expanded data infrastructure for compliance and testing
Sustainable energy solutions supporting biotech manufacturing
Collaboration between higher education and industry to close workforce gaps

The partnership between Great River Energy, state agencies and regional organizations ensures Minnesota can meet new industry demands with reliable, efficient and sustainable infrastructure.

Connect with partners who power Minnesota’s innovation economy

Great River Energy and its member cooperatives continue to support companies and site selectors evaluating life sciences and medical technology investments in Minnesota. Their team provides data on available sites, energy capacity and infrastructure planning to support long-term industry growth and development.

Contact Great River Energy’s Economic Development Team to discuss site readiness, location requirements and energy solutions for biotech and medtech operations in Minnesota.

FAQ: Minnesota life science industry and site selection

Why are life science companies expanding in Minnesota?

Minnesota combines world-class medtech expertise, skilled talent and reliable infrastructure, making it a leading U.S. destination for biotech and medical device companies.

How does Great River Energy support biotech and medtech companies?

Great River Energy and its member cooperatives provide reliable, cost-stable power and help prepare shovel-ready industrial sites optimized for high-tech production.

What makes Minnesota’s energy system reliable for life sciences?

With 99.9% reliability and ongoing investment in renewable generation, Great River Energy ensures energy security for sensitive manufacturing and research operations.