Economic Impact

The health care industry is a key industry in the economic growth of northeastern Minnesota and the annual economic impact in N.E. MN is $2.47 billion dollars. The industry is the largest employer in northeastern Minnesota, with over 31,000 workers and by 2019 will add another 8,934 jobs.

Challenges

By 2016, Minnesota is predicting a need for 3.25 million workers of which 477,050 are health care workers. Between 2005 and 2030, Minnesota's population aged 65+ will rise from 620,000 to 1.3 million, a doubling of this age group. In a dramatic reversal of traditional demographic trends, by 2020 Minnesota will have more retirees than school age children. Incidentally, northeast Minnesota is facing an older population base than the state average.

Based of the 4th quarter 2008 Minnesota Job Survey there are 7,908 health care job openings in the state. In particular, northeast Minnesota indicated demand for nurses, technicians, physicians, mental health workers, pharmacists, dentists as well as health care assistants and aides.

Collaboration, Coordination, Efficiency, Innovation, and Leadership

To meet the workforce challenges of the health care industry relating to; current openings, growth in the industry, replacement workers, and other issues the Iron Range Resources established the Rural Healthcare Taskforce in March 2002. Over 160 leaders from northeastern Minnesota in; healthcare, education, economic development, and state and local officials are tackling the issues relating to the healthcare workforce shortage. We work closely with our state partners/members; Healthcare Education-Industry Partnership, Rural Health Resource Center, Office of Rural Health, Minnesota Area Health Education Center, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Minnesota Workforce Centers, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, and Minnesota Hospital Association.