Catalina Valencia, Executive Director of Business Development for the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), joins Susan Donkers and Charles Houser on the Ribbon Cut Podcast to share what makes Minnesota a top contender for capital investment, workforce, and innovation. Catalina brings over 25 years in economic development, spanning her start with the Colombian government trade bureau, a five-year stretch as a site selector at Location Strategies in Greenville, SC, and now five years leading business development for the state of Minnesota. She walks through why DEED's combined workforce and economic development model gives the state an edge, and unpacks the assets that drive Minnesota's pitch on a national and global stage. In this conversation: - Why Minnesota's infrastructure, four Class I railroads, three interstates, seven commercial ports, and a top-rated airport, anchors its competitive position - How over two dozen accelerators and incubators feed the state's innovation pipeline alongside corporate partners like Cargill, Ecolab, and General Mills - The five priority sectors driving DEED's targeting strategy: life sciences, clean tech and renewable energy, food production, technology and innovation, and advanced manufacturing - Why Minnesota is known as Medical Alley, home to Mayo Clinic, UnitedHealth Group, and Medtronic - How manufacturing makes up 12% of state GDP and nearly $25 billion in annual manufactured exports - The state's path to net zero carbon emissions for electric generation by 2040 and its 2005 biofuels mandate, a national first #EconomicDevelopment #Minnesota #SiteSelection #MedicalAlley #RibbonCutPodcast